Khotso ‘hungry’ to break African record
JOHANNESBURG: With a new-found spring in his step and a hop in his jump, Khotso Mokoena is looking to shift the barriers before he hangs up his spikes for good.
The South African icon sought the advice of fourtime world champion and 2000 Olympic gold medallist Ivan Pedroso of Cuba with the hope of breaking his own African record.
Luvo Manyonga emerged as the heir apparent to Mokoena’s throne as the continent’s best long jumper when he won silver at the Rio Olympics last year.
Mokoena’s record came under serious threat when Manyonga leapt within two centimetres of the continental mark of 8.50 metres at a Diamond League meeting after the Games in Brussels.
“I ended up with Ivan after the Olympics when I had a long and serious talk with my manager Jukka Harkonen, who is also my former coach,” Mokoena said.
“We discussed the future of getting back to long jump since I was still hungry to go for the African record before I retire. And the passion is still buzzing.”
After a year focussing on the triple jump that saw him bow out of his fourth Olympics, missing out on a spot in the final, Mokoena was back competing in the event that launched him onto the international stage.
Mokoena, who turns 32 next month, has had a stellar early season competing on the international indoor circuit where he leapt to a season best of 8.05m.
He won three events including the final meeting on the World Indoor Tour in Birmingham over the weekend, where he recorded a winning jump of 7.99m.
“It’s great to continue and I feel blessed. It is important to use the chances God and the universe hand us,” Mokoena said.
“Jumping to 8.05m is super for me. The last time I jumped 8m indoors was in 2009 so this was surety that I am on the right track. That’s the same year I broke the African record.”
Mokoena is looking to put his record further from the reach of a crop of SA long jumpers challenging for his crown.
Zarck Visser with a personal best of 8.41m and Ruswahl Samaai with 8.38m, join Manyonga in the hunt for Mokoena’s record.
“The goal at the moment is getting the training and technique right with Ivan. He’s very special. I’ve only worked with him since January, which is a very short time. So, I can learn a few things,” Mokoena said.
“He has been watching me over the years so he knows what to work on.”
Considering the depth of talent SA has in the long jump, it could be a battle royal for places to the IAAF World Championships in London in August.
Mokoena has the early advantage and the benefit of years of experience, but for now he is looking to learn some new tricks.