Manyonga among three South Africans to set indoor records in nine-day stretch

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

South African long jumper Luvo Manyonga not only increased his world indoor lead and secured his 12th consecutive victory Sunday at the Metz Indoor Meeting in France, he did so by taking down a 12-year-old African record.

Manyonga produced a leap of 27 feet, 6.75 inches (8.40m) to eclipse the 2006 mark of 27-5.25 (8.36m) by Ghana's Ignisious Gaisah. Manyonga, who competed in his first career indoor meet Wednesday in Paris, improved from his opening effort of 27-3.75 (8.32m).

Manyonga, the reigning world champion, elevated into a tie for the No. 16 indoor performer in history with Jamaica's James Beckford. He also edged Cuban 19-year-old Juan Miguel Echavarria, who improved to No. 2 in the world this year with a jump of 27-4.50 (8.34m).

Manyonga's performance capped off a nine-day period where three South African athletes set national indoor records.

Former Arkansas star and adidas professional Dominique Scott followed her 3,000-meter record 8 minutes, 41.18 seconds Feb. 3 at the NYRR Millrose Games in New York by lowering her own 1,500 record after clocking 4:07.25 on Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston.

Scott is one of only three female athletes in the world this year to be ranked in the top 10 in both events.

Sprinter Carina Horn clocked 7.10 in the 60-meter dash Friday at the Val d'Oise Meeting in Eaubonne, France to improve to the No. 5 performer in the world this year.

Horn broke the 1999 national record of 7.15 set in 1999 by Wendy Hartmann after just missing with a 7.16 effort in the prelims.

Horn is still chasing the African record of 6.99 set in 2013 by Ivory Coast star Murielle Ahoure.