Luvo Manyonga is desperate to make it to the Commonwealth Games, following his long jump national title at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track and Field National Championships at the weekend, in Stellenboch.
Manyonga (35) won the title at the ASA Championships with a leap of 8.04 meters in the long jump, which was the first time since 2019, the last to achieve this kind of success in the long jump.
The success in this way of this athlete from Mbekweni, Western Cape, is an indication of his rebuke coming back from doubt, since he is coming back from a four-year suspension from participating in athletics due to drug use.
After the end of his sentence in 2024, he made his first appearance at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, in March.
He became the world champion in the long jump in 2010, winning the World Junior Championships in Canada.
He did the same in 2011, participating in the All Africa Games in Mozambique, followed by winning the World Championships in 2017, in England.
He competed again at the Commonwealth Games, in Australia, in 2018. And before that, he came back with a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Brazil, in 2016.
“This means a lot to me. It is proof that you cannot end a dream while its owner is still alive, the dream continues.
“Last year I placed sixth (in the ASA Championships) in the finals. But now I am jumping to give people hope and to show that whenever you are given an opportunity, use it,” said Manyonga, who is looking forward to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in July.
“I’m looking forward to participating in the world championships but I’m taking each competition without putting pressure on myself.”
Others who did well at the ASA Championships; Tshepi Tshite won the 1500m for the runners, Sinesipho Dembile won the 200m, and Lythe Pillay defended the title in the 400m.
For the women, Tayla Kavanagh won the 5000m, while Prudence Sekgodiso successfully defended her title in the 800m.