SA's Road to Rio: Meet long jumper Luvo Manyonga

His pathway in athletics was paved with gold in 2010 when he won the long jump title with a leap of 8,19 metres at the Junior World Championships in Canada and he was destined for stardom.

By the end of 2011, he was already being touted as the next superstar of South African athletics with a sequence of impressive performances.

But, in 2012, the year of the London Olympics, Luvo's world came crashing down as his life spiralled out of control.

A dramatic announcement was made at the SA Champs in that year that Luvo had tested positive for traces of 'TIK' (methamphetamine), and he was slapped with a two-year ban.

"I have done things of which I am truly ashamed, like burglaries, stealing mobile phones just to get money to buy the drug. You lose all perception of what is right or wrong. All that matters is to get your fix," recalled Luvo with a sad tinge in his eyes.

"I can honestly say that I hit rock bottom and my life was a living hell after I was banned for using drugs and the way I was behaving was a one way route towards self-destruction," he added.

For him it became a priority to escape the drug-ravaged Western Cape and try and start a new life well away from the temptations of drug abuse.

Enter SASCOC President Gideon Sam. Sam backed the young athlete through his ordeal and even went so far as to suggest and facilitate a move to either Johannesburg or Pretoria.

Pretoria was his eventual destination and he now trains at the highly regarded Tuks High Performance Centre under the watchful eyes of Coach Neil Cornelius.

As if he hadn't suffered enough personal torment, his long-time coach, Mario Smit, died in a car accident in 2014, just when he was in the early stages of his comeback.

Determined to redeem himself from what he unashamedly calls 'a big-time stuff-up' he made an immediate impact on his return to competition, posting an Olympic standard jump of 8.20 metres.

He has also subsequently nailed down an 8.30m jump, which was registered as the fifth best of the season on the IAAF rankings.

There are many lessons to be learned from 25-year-old Luvo's life journey and for one thing he has made a promise to himself to make the most of his second chance.  

His advice to youngsters who consider experimenting with mind-altering, mentally manipulative drugs like 'TIK' that consume your whole life very simple and is also his life motto -- "Don't do it! It is not worth it."

GET TO KNOW LUVO 

Birthday: 8 January 1991

Olympic event: Long jump.

Best distance: 8.30m

Best performance at a major championship: Gold in 2010 at the Junior World Championship; 5th in 2011 Senior World championships.

Coach: Neil Cornelius.

What got you started: I absolutely love sport and was keen to try everything in the end I got hooked on jumping (triple and long jump). Athletics is my life. I absolutely love competing in the long jump

My dad was a keen rugby player. I think my natural speed is due to his genes.

On training: I believe that training should be fun so I tend to joke around but never to such an extent that I lose my focus. Strength and conditioning training is really important to me.

Setting goals: I will make a list of goals and then post them on a wall where I can see it each day as sort of a reminder. As I reached each small goal I will tick it off until nothing remains then I will make a new list with new challenges. 

Distances are not important to me when I compete. My main goal is to qualify for the Olympic final. It is a well-known fact that anything can happen once you are in the final.

Biggest challenge: Never to quit even at times when it feels like everything is against me. That is why I am a firm believer in taking things day by day. 

Before a competition: I will listen to Shakira's Waka Waka featuring the South African band Freshlyground. It was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It relaxes me and helps me to get focussed.

Important to remember during a competition: Your first jump is the really important because with a good attempt you "buy" five more jumps.

What led to your breakthrough: As a devoted Christian I believe that God is steering me to make the most of my talent.

Best advice: You can be anything you want to be.

Motivation: My son, Lindokuhle, is my biggest motivation. I will not be able to live with myself knowing that I have let him down. Athletics for me is a way to ensure that he will never be in need of anything and that he will get a good education.

Motto: Yesterday is dead and I can do nothing to undo the past. It is what happens tomorrow that is important. 

Favourite car: Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Favourite actor: Will Smith

Favourite colour: Blue

Favourite meal: Krummel pap with sour milk.

If not an athlete: I would be a soccer player