Manyonga leaps to new meeting record

WORLD long-jump champion Luvo Manyonga got back to winning ways at the Birmingham Diamond League meeting yesterday.

Manyonga suffered a defeat to compatriot Rushwahl Samaai at the recent African Championships in Asaba, Nigeria for second place.

The South African phenom leapt to a new meeting record of 8.53 metres showing superb form before the Diamond League final in Zurich in two week’s time.

“I’m quite happy with that. The people watching were amazing in getting behind us no matter where you’re from,” Manyonga said. “I was surprised that it was a meeting record and it shows I’m in good shape.”

Manyonga was peerless on the day throwing down the gauntlet with an opening jump of 8.42m.

He then received two red flags before breaking the meet record that had stood since 2005 by eight centimetres.

His nearest rival Tajay Gayle of Jamaica finished in a distant second place with a best jump of 8.17m.

Fellow South African Zarck Visser missed out of a podium spot finishing in fourth place with a best attempt of 7.90m.

“I will go home now and prepare for the finals in the coming weeks,” Manyonga said.

Africa’s fastest man Akani Simbine was slow out of the blocks and was unable to recover in the latter part of the 100 metres finishing sixth with a time of 10.09.

World indoors 60m champion Christian Coleman of the USA led for most of the race to claim victory with a time of 9.94. Great Britain’s Reece Prescod finished with the identical time, clocking a new personal best for second place.

It was an otherwise belowpar meeting for the rest of the South African contingent with two of the country’s hurdlers battling in the English city.

South African women’s 400m hurdles ace Wenda Nel, who has been struggling with form this season, finished in sixth place with a pedestrian 57.51 seconds.

European champion Lea Sprunger won the race in a time of 54.86 with Commonwealth gold medallist Janieve Russel crossing in second place with 54.91.

African 110m hurdles champion Antonio Alkana failed to make into the final finishing sixth in his heat with a time of 13.59 – well below his potential.

Middle-distance runner Dominique Scott-efurd battled in the women’s 3000m finishing in last place with a time of 9:01.04.