Thanks to a massive final round leap of 8.61m, South African in-form long jumper Luvo Manyonga improved the Diamond League record by seven centimetres to highlight the field events action at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai meeting on Saturday (13).

The 26-year-old Manyonga arrived in Shanghai in strong spirits after having bettered the African record twice this year to 8.65m.

In spite of facing a quality field that included Olympic champion Jeff Henderson of the United States and Australia’s 2016 Diamond League winner Fabrice Lapierre, Manyonga showed his dominance in Shanghai from the first round, leaping 8.48m to beat the meet record of 8.44m set by Australian Mitchell Watt in 2011.

After a foul in the second round, he further improved to 8.49m with his third attempt. Although he fouled again in the following two rounds, Manyonga had already sealed the title before his final jump.

However, the ambitious South African refused to call it a day.

Stepping confidently on the runway, he produced his winning mark to shatter Watt’s Diamond League record set in Stockholm six years ago.

“I didn’t get the distance I wanted today as I was looking for 8.80m, but I know it will come,” said Manyonga.

“I am pleased to win again. My success has been down to hard work, training, dedication and commitment.”