Luvo Manyonga Breaks Meet Record in England

Luvo Manyonga was in a class of his own as he soared to an IAAF Diamond League meeting long jump record of 8.54m in Birmingham, England on Saturday, writes MARK ETHERIDGE.

South Africa’s world and Commonwealth Games champion opened with a solid 8.42 at the Alexander Stadium.

That was followed by two no-jumps before he unleashed the winner. He closed with an 8.47 and left all opposition trailing in his wake.

Next best was Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, a yawning 37cm in arrears. Manyonga’s SA teammate Zarck Visser took fourth with 7.90.

SA’s Commonwealth champion Akani Simbine took sixth in the men’s 100m in 10.09sec as American Christian Coleman matched the host nation’s Reece Prescod, both posting 9.94.

Back on the track, it was Dominique Scott-Efurd in the women’s 3,000m.

The United States-based Capetonian was handily slotted into eighth as the first kilometre was gobbled up in just under 2:40.

But with two laps to go, she’d dropped back to 15th as the leaders took the bell in 7:30. She ended 17th in 9:01.64.

Kenya’s Agnes Tirop went on to win in 8min 32.21sec, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.

National hurdles champion Wenda Nel looked rusty as she ended last in the 400m hurdles, clocking 57.51sec.

Switzerland’s Lea Sprunger won in 54.86.