Cape Town local Luvo Manyonga has jumped into the history books after a massive leap of 8.41 metres earned him not only a gold medal, but also a Commonwealth Games record.
His teammate Ruswahl Samaai also performed outstandingly on the sand, earning a bronze medal for his jumps.
This adds to bronze medals won by Sunette Viljoen and Reinhardt Hamman earlier today, as well as a silver in women’s lawn bowls, bringing South Africa’s total up to 26 and bumping us up to 4th position overall.
Long jump super star Luvo Manyonga gets the gold #Commonwealth2018 pic.twitter.com/sXl3qi4WUX
— TK (@TKMediaSA) April 11, 2018
Luvo’s story captured the imagination of the world after he won the silver medal for long jump at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He comes from an impoverished community, and struggled with drug addiction before getting his life back on track to make international athletics history.
GOLD FOR LUVO MANYONGA!
He’s won the men’s long jump with a new Commonwealth Games record of 8.41 metres. Compatriot Ruswahl Samaai picked up bronze. #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/sGWTEuRU0U
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) April 11, 2018
Shortly after Luvo and Ruswahl’s victories, Team SA won a silver in the lawn bowls mixed B2/B3 pairs.
It’s a third medal in lawn bowls for South Africa at Gold Coast 2018 as they take silver in the mixed B2/B3 pairs. #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/jazG3XBzkK
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) April 11, 2018
Earlier in the day, Sunette Viljoen claimed a bronze medal in javelin with a throw of 62.08 metres.
Congrats to @Sunette_Viljoen winning Bronze in the women’s Javelin final! Overcoming injuries to finish in podium position with a throw of 62.08m! Well done ????
? Getty Images pic.twitter.com/XQNToL1Nz2
— Backtrack (@BacktrackSports) April 11, 2018
Reinhardt Hamman also earned a bronze in the men’s F38 shot put final.
Meet Reinhardt Hamman, SA’s javelin Paralympian who prides himself on the following achievements: a gold medallist in Rio Paralympic Games, IPC World Championships, Nedbank National Championships, IPC Athletics Grand Prix and won a myriad of sports awards. #DisabilityDay2017 pic.twitter.com/GokMEDqYXD
— TeamSouthAfrica (@TeamSA18) December 3, 2017
Picture: Twitter