JOIN USSouth Africa’s Luvo Manyonga said he was “over the moon” after winning the World Championship long jump title on Saturday, making up for the disappointment of missing out on an Olympic gold in Rio.
Manyonga, who only returned to formal competition last year after overcoming a drug addiction, led the final from the second round with a leap of 8.48 metres — the third best mark of 2017.
The 26-year-old held off the challenge of American Jarrion Lawson, who in his first senior championships jumped a season-best 8.44 in the final round to claim silver.
The bronze was taken by Manyonga's compatriot Ruswahl Samaai, the leader in the Diamond League standings this season, who jumped 8.32 metres.
Later, Olympic champion Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia produced an extraordinary display in her first race of the season winning the world 10,000 metres title by almost a minute.
The 25-year-old, who smashed the world record when winning in Rio last year, finished over 46 seconds clear of her legendary compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba, the three-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion who took silver after being unable to go with the scorching pace of the winner.
"I am very happy to win this title, much more than when I won the Olympic gold because I have been sick this year and didn't expect it," said Ayana.
Lithuania’s Andrius Gudzius alos had reasons to cheer as he won the men's discus. The 26-year-old Lithuanian, 12th in last summer's Rio Olympics, managed a best effort of 69.21 metres.
Results: Men: Long jump: Luvo Manyonga (Rsa) 8.48 mtrs, 1; Jarrion Lawson (US) 8.44, 2; Ruswahl Samaai (Rsa) 8.32, 3.
Discus Throw: Andrius Gudzius (Ltu) 69.21 mtrs, 1; Daniel Stahl (Swe) 69.19, 2; Mason Finley (US) 68.03, 3.
Women: 10,000M: Almaz Ayana (Eth) 30:16.32 secs, 1; Tirunesh Dibaba (Eth) 31:02.69, 2; Agnes Jebet Tirop (Ken) 31:03.50, 3.