Luvo has the world at his feet

Bolstered by his Olympic silver medal scoop, Luvo Manyonga is dreaming of seeing the world long jump record behind his name.

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Rio de Janeiro – Bolstered by his Olympic silver medal victory Luvo Manyonga is dreaming of seeing the world long jump record behind his name.

Although his dream may seem somewhat lofty, Manyonga has demonstrated he had both the talent and the character to give it a good bash in the years to come.

The record of 8.95m American jumper Mike Powell set in 1991 has rarely come under threat for more than two decades.

When asked what his plans were for the future Manyonga said without an inkling of doubt: “I am looking for a world record.”

Manyonga was so close to winning the gold medal he could almost taste it, going into the final round of Saturday’s final in first place with a best jump of 8.37m.

American Jeff Henderson snatched the medal from Manyonga’s clutches leaping a centimetre further than the South African.

Manyonga followed in the footsteps of national record-holder Khotso Mokoena to win a silver medal at the Olympic Games.

He opened his account with a jump of 8.16m before recording two no jumps going into the next round in fifth position.

“I wasn't nervous, I felt it inside that it is coming out so I was relaxes and I took it out,” Manyonga said.

“It motivated me that as me and my coached said I needed to make the first jump to buy the next five jumps.”

The 24-year-old then launched himself into pole position with a fourth-round jump of 8.28m sparking the hope of South Africa’s first gold at the Rio Games.

“He tightened his grip on the title on his fifth attempt landing in the pit with a new personal best of 8.37m, seven centimetres better than his previous PB.

“The 8.28m have so much motivation that I can go further, I didn't even land proper when I did that 8.37m,” Manyonga said.

Supporting Manyonga from the side of the track coach Neil Cornelius continuously motivated his charge.

When Manyonga landed the defining blow, Cornelius smiled from ear to ear and danced to the rhythm of the Paarl-born jumper.

“I don't tend to focus on his past, I prefer to focus on him as a person as an athlete,” said the former World Junior Champion.

“I have to keep cool, and keep him grounded as well, but when he won the silver medal and did that dance I could not help but dance with him a little bit.”

While Manyonga was enjoying the heights at the top of the world, South African long jump champion Ruswahl Samaai was left dejected after getting knocked out after the first three attempts.

It was a disappointing evening for Samaai, who went into the Olympics as one of the top ranked jumpers as he failed to jump further than eight metres.

“Ag it's fine, it's part of the game. It wasn't tough out there, I knew it was going to take 8.30-plus to get a medal but I didn't execute the way I wanted to,” Ruswahl said.

“I've had a bit of a problem with my landing, my technique and speed was good but I have to work on my landing.

“Hard luck, it's part of the sport, it is part of life, you win some and you also lose some.

I've got to take a lot of experience out of this tonight so I have to go back to the drawing board and get my game on.”

Although it was a bad day at the office for Samaai he still managed to heap praise on his fellow Paarlite.

“I knew Luvo Manyonga is a really good talent and I know the circumstances and what he has been through,” Samaai said.

“For someone that has been through a lot and to achieve this on such a global stage is amazing.

“He is one of the guys along with Khotso Mokoena, who did it in 2008,that has opened the gates for us l so I'm really happy for him, he is an amazing talent.”