By Mishael Emmanuel
South African ‘golden boy’ Mukona Manavhela has expressed delight about his performance at the CAA U-18/20 Championships held in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria.
Mukona Manavhela cruised to a tidy sum of medals at the 5-day championships, as he fashioned a gold medal in every event he competed in.
Manavhela took the U-18 100m diadem in 10.61s. Closely followed by fellow South African Jayden Fourie, who also claimed medals in all events he featured, with a time of 10.76s.
Nigeria’s Clifford James Igbigbidje, was the third fastest man in U-18 100m, closing with a time of 10.89s.
Over 200m Mukona Manavhela came out on top once again, timing a 21.29s finish. Spotting gold under calm winds at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Nigeria’s Ibrahim Ajibare and Destiny Egbon were the closest sprinters to the pacy South African, ticking 21.64s and 21.83s respectfully, to complete the podium.
Manavhela also helped Team South Africa to the U-18 sprint medley gold, tipping hosts Nigeria to take reel in first.
Mukona Manavhela in an interview said the gold medal triple at the biennial championships has greatly boosted his confidence.
“It feels great, I was part of my goals, winning away from South Africa. So now I have that experience, the know how and go to other international competition. To get better and not just race for fun.”
The sprint prodigy stressed that the quality of opposition he faced at the championships was high but keeping a clear mind helped him perfect his act.
“It was good competition but in the game you have to focus not on what’s around but what’s inside of you. So I went there focusing on myself and do what I have to do.”
Mukona Manavhela who ran personal bests of 10.21s in 100m and 20.8 in 200m earlier in the season, noted that patience is key to his continued development.
“This whole season I’ve been doing well, so I need to keep my head down, stay humble and continue working. God’s blessings is going to come down to me.”
He added that he been looking forward to the African juniors all season and now he needs to slow things down a little, to allow his body rest.
“I had a little pause and I wasn’t training so a month or two because I wasn’t fit then. I was tired, I’ve been running all season, since January I’ve been prolonged. I ran my fastest times in March now, I’m tired my body is tired. So I’m going to travel home and go relax.”
South Africa’s 200m U-16 national record holder also ruled out his plan of action for the remainder of the season, placing rest on the top of the chart.
“After the championships maybe get a little month of rest and then run a bit in the school season. But right now my head is on next season. Next season is a big season for me, it’s a big decider.”
He explained that within the next year he hopes to go professional.
“You know January opening the 400m, opening with a good time that where I see myself. Being at my peak being at that capacity where I know that I can be.
“I have not had a proper base this season working hard because I know this is going to go out to the world outside. I’m just going to put the work in, this next season. So in the coming months. I see a new self, a new me.”
The 16 year old sprint sensation who claimed a trilogy of gold medals at the combined championships, says that the feel at the Rock City, Abeokuta was top notch.
“I mean it good, it’s happy at the end of the day, everything is going to be all around all around and at the everything is all around with a vibe and good experiences. I’m just actually having fun. And I feel that all the athletes around here are having a fun time.”
Manavhela, who is 0.009s off South Africa’s U-18 100m national record, emphasized that his teammates have spurred him to greater heights.
“It is my training group training, going out there with seniors who represent South Africa it has put that alot into me, use that motivation.”
He concluded by appreciating all who played key roles in his development.
“Shout out to all my friends, my family, my coach, my mom, my dad. All of the people who played parental role to me and most of all I say thanks to God, without the Lord I wouldn’t have been here.”
