Luvo Manyonga’s Comeback Continues With Long Jump Gold At African Championships

Photo Credit: Charmaine Botes Visser

The Olympic silver medallist’s comeback continues as he produced an 8.15m opening jump to claim his first African Championships gold in Ghana.

Ghana (15 May 2026) – Olympic silver medallist Luvo Manyonga has added another powerful chapter to his comeback story, clinching gold in the men’s long jump at the African Athletics Championships 2026 in Ghana.

The 35-year-old South African produced a winning leap of 8.15m on his opening attempt, a mark that ultimately proved enough to secure top spot on the podium and underline his return to form on the continental stage.

Despite his decorated career that includes global medals and world titles, this victory marks Manyonga’s first-ever African Championships title. It is a milestone that had eluded him for years, making this moment even more meaningful in the context of his journey back to top-level competition.

“I’m very happy to arrive here competing and winning. I miss this feeling and my comeback just shows that second chances are possible.”

His words carried the weight of an athlete who has had to rebuild and rediscover his best form on the international stage.

Senegal filled the remaining podium places, with Lys Mendy taking silver after a jump of 8.07m, while Amath Faye secured bronze with 8.00m in a tightly contested final.

Manyonga’s latest triumph adds to an already remarkable career that has seen him compete and medal at the highest level for over a decade. His 8.15m jump also marked his best performance since 2019, signalling a clear return to competitive strength. His achievement now places another gold alongside an already impressive medal collection.

Just to run down memory lane of his medal haul