DESERVING OF AWARD
Long jumper Luvo Manyonga rewarded for outstanding results
Star Port Elizabeth athlete Luvo Manyonga was the biggest winner at the Eastern Cape Sport and Recreation Achievers Awards on Friday, when he was crowned the Sports Star of the Year at the Boardwalk in the city.
The long jumper also walked away with the Sportsman of the Year accolade, while gymnast Bianca Zoonekynd won the Sportswoman of the Year award.
Manyonga beat current WBO bantamweight champion and the former IBF junior bantamweight champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who was in the same category.
Manyonga, who was raised in Paarl but but has been living in Port Elizabeth for nine months, said the awards served as a great welcome to the Eastern Cape.
“The awards went well and I am happy. Tonight was a good night, I feel honoured and recognised by my new province, the Eastern Cape.
“I am here to stay and I am here to represent this province for the rest of my life.
“This is the best province in the entire South Africa,” said the 27-year-old.
This year, Manyonga received gold medals for the men’s long jump at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia and at the IAAF Championships in London.
He came second at the IAAF Championships in Birmingham, England, in the long jump and was presented with a silver medal.
Manyonga said he would take part in the “final Diamond League in Zurich and World Challenge in Zagreb” before the end of his season this year.