Currently serving a four-year ban for a drug violation, which ends in December, the 33-year-old long jumper has a personal best of 8.65m, achieved when he won the Diamond League in 2017.

Manyonga is confident that he make a comeback, qualify for the World Senior Championships in Tokyo, Japan next year, and aim to surpass the 32-year-old world record.

"To break that nine mark, I think by next year I can try because looking back to when I was training, I was not putting my all, [enough] effort because I was training for like two days or only two weeks a month but I was jumping 8.6 and stuff like that. So, now I'm older than before so I think I have to put more effort and try to be disciplined and try to meet my needs of breaking that world record," Manyonga said,

READ: ASA boss James Moloi encouraged by Team SA’s performance at African championships

At 33, some might consider Manyonga too old to break the world record, as he will turn 34 next year.

However, he disagrees and insists he draws inspiration from legendary long jumpers Carl Lewis and Mike Powell, who had extended careers in the sandpit.

"I think it is just a theory that people believe in. If you can go back to 1991, Mike Powell and Carl Lewis, I think they were almost the same age that I am now, that's when they almost broke the world record."

Jovan Van Vuuren is the only SA jumper who qualified for the Paris Olympics next month, while the current national champion, Cheswill Johnson, and the former national champion, Rushwal Samaai are struggling to meet the qualifying standard.

Manyonga believes that Van Vuuren has the potential to win a medal for the country at the Olympics.

"I think van Vuuren has an opportunity to bring South Africa a medal and I believe so because he's coached by my ex-coach, Neil Cornelius. I think to jump 8.30 by now he stands a chance to bring a medal home and I believe if he can keep that consistency, South Africa can get a medal from the long jump."

WTA

Aryna Sabalenka ready to battle at top of women’s game after Australian Open win

Editors Pick