Luvo Manyonga set for global comeback after seven-year hiatus

JOHANNESBURG – World Athletics has published the entry lists for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26, and one of the most notable names on the roster is South African long jumper Luvo Manyonga.

A total of 674 athletes from 118 member federations are set to compete at the global indoor showpiece, scheduled to take place from 20–22 March.

The former long jump world champion is making his return to the international stage following a seven-year hiatus. Now 35, Manyonga has navigated a turbulent career marked by a well-documented battle with drug addiction and two doping-related bans.

His first suspension came in 2012 after testing positive for crystal meth, a substance he had struggled with since the age of 17. After a triumphant return that saw him secure silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold at the 2017 World Championships, his career was again halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: ‘God has a plan for me’, says Luvo Manyonga

Manyonga’s most recent absence from the sandpit was the result of a four-year ban handed down by the Athletics Integrity Unit. This suspension was triggered by "whereabouts failures," a violation of anti-doping protocols regarding athlete availability for out-of-competition testing.

Once a household name who seemed unstoppable at his peak, Manyonga last represented South Africa at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

The South African Contingent
Manyonga joins a focused group of South African athletes heading to Kujawy Pomorze. The full team includes:

Karabo Letebele: Men’s 60m

Luan Munnik: Men’s 3,000m

Franco le Roux: Men’s 60m hurdles

Mondray Barnard: Men’s 60m hurdles

Luvo Manyonga: Men’s long jump

Temoso Masikane: Men’s long jump

Aiden Smith: Men’s shot put