Manyonga lands to a hero’s welcome
WRAPPED in the South African flag and with his silver medal shining around his neck, Luvo Manyonga walked out of OR Tambo International Airport to shouts of delight and clapping.
“My Olympic dream has come true. I’m so grateful and so overwhelmed. It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me,” Luvo said.
There was a buzz of excitement as family, friends and fans waited to welcome home South Africa’s long jump silver medalist from the Rio Olympics. Holding balloons, South African flags and signs, the crowd waited patiently for his arrival. Among them was Manyonga’s older sister, Nosipho.
“When we were watching, I was crying. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Just looking from where he’s come from, he’s a champion,” she said.
Nosipho said everyone back home was “very excited” by the achievement.
“We’ve all been celebrating and we’re having a thanksgiving ceremony on the weekend. He’s such a sweet boy, he’s my little brother and we’re so proud of him.”
Cornel Fredericks, a close friend, said he was incredibly proud and overwhelmed by Manyonga’s achievement.
“He’s like a brother to me. We grew up together and to see where’s he’s come from and what he’s achieved makes me so proud.”
He said it was Mario Smit, Manyonga’s long-time coach, who was the actual man that “put Luvo on the map”.
Smit died in a car accident in 2014 following Manyonga’s comeback, after his tik addiction resulted in a two-year ban from competing in 2012.
Manyonga beamed with excitement on being swarmed by adoring fans. Asked what his future held, the silver medallist joked: “The future is bright that’s why I’m wearing sunglasses.”
He said he hoped to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and return wearing gold. He said he was grateful people still believed in him after everything he’s been through.
“I’m telling South Africa not to look at me in the same way as I was – I am new. I’m not that person any more, I’m just Luvo,” he said
Manyonga also took time to pose for the cameras with eager friends and fans.
“I encourage all South Africans, whoever they are, to always believe in themselves.”
Manyonga’s coach, Neil Cornelius, told Cape Times sister paper The Star this achievement still hadn’t sunk in yet.
“Coming home with a medal is unreal, I was speechless.”