Luvo Manyonga has overcome many challenges in his 26 years, but on Saturday evening under the cool sky at London Stadium, he took his place in long jump history by winning gold at the IAAF World Championships.

With South Africa flags popping up around the London Stadium, Luvo Manyonga sank to the ground as the realisation dawned on him that his second-round leap of 8.48 meters would not be surpassed.

Then that infectious grin returned and he fell into the sand, making a sand angel.

His South African colleague Ruswahl Samaai, who got bronze, joined him in prayer and then came the embrace as they celebrated a wonderful night for South African athletics in the field.

Manyonga looked in his element throughout the final; he smiled, played to the crowd, and then took a step back and sprinted down the track with an unwavering focus.

“This gold medal makes me feel over the moon,” Manyonga said. “I have been praying to get this gold medal.”

Culled from ESPN