WORLD champion Luvo Manyonga is not placing his hopes for major awards in the hands of the masses.
Instead, the long jump star believes his performances will earn him due reward in the form of the SA Sport Star of the Year award at the ceremony to be held at Emperors Palace, east of Joburg, this weekend.
While the Sport Star award is decided by experts, the SA People’s Choice Award is left to the fans to vote for their favourite athlete.
The 26-year-old claimed gold with an incredible jump of 8,48m at the IAAF World Championships in London in August.
And the affable Manyonga has not hidden his ambition for the main award, reasoning he had done enough this year to be recognised.
“I’m not so confident of the people’s choice award. It depends on the people’s vote,” said Manyonga.
“But if we compete on the performances, I feel confident I can win. As I’ve said, I’ve worked hard this year and the results are there for all to see.
“I don’t think there’s an area in which I lacked.”
Nonetheless, Manyonga feels “honoured” to be nominated for major awards at home.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to the awards ceremony (on Sunday),” he said.
“It’s a great honour to be nominated. I’ve done so much for myself, for my country and for my family.
“Winning the award will improve my profile. It’s going to be a nice feeling to look back at these achievements when I sit in my house years after I retire.”
It’s not the first time Manyonga is vying for the major SA sport award. The 2016 Rio Olympian once competed for the same award back in 2011.
But he is not fazed by the competition he faces from formidable foes – fellow athletes Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya, as well as Mamelodi Sundowns’ midfield ace Percy Tau and WBO bantamweight champion, Zolani Tete.
“It’s a huge award (SA Sport Star) and obviously every nominee is best in their own field. Let the best win!” Manyonga concluded.
Manyonga soared to an impressive 8,62m early in the season, producing one of the longest leaps in world athletics in many years.
He has also hopped closer to the long standing record of 8,95m, set by American Mike Powell in Tokyo back in 1991.
