ACCRA, GHANA – Team South Africa continued its strong showing at the 2026 African Athletics Championships, adding three more medals to their tally on an action-packed Day 2. The day was defined by a historic comeback in the field, a photo-finish thriller on the track, and consistent progression in the middle-distance events.
Manyonga Reclaims Continental Glory
In what is undoubtedly one of the most compelling stories of the championships, Luvo Manyonga completed a spectacular return to the pinnacle of African athletics. The former Olympic silver medalist secured the gold medal in the men’s long jump final, proving he is once again the man to beat on the continent.
Speaking after his victory, an emotional Manyonga reflected on his journey back to the top. “To be honest, mixed emotions, grateful to be back,” he said. “God’s given me so many opportunities; I’m just grateful to Him to have these opportunities.”
Nkoana Snatches Silver in 100m Thriller
The men’s 100m final provided the most dramatic moment of the evening. Bradley Nkoana took the hard road to the podium; after finishing third in a tough semifinal, he relied on his time to advance as a non-automatic qualifier.
Starting from the outside in Lane 1, Nkoana produced a massive surge to challenge for the title. In a finish so close it was impossible to separate the runners with the naked eye, Nkoana was awarded the silver medal with a time of 10.311s. He finished just behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (10.25s) and narrowly edged out Nigeria’s Chidera Ezeakor (10.318s) in a tense photo finish.
Holtzhausen Secures Bronze in the Hammer Throw
The medals continued to flow in the field events as Leandri Holtzhausen delivered a podium performance in the women’s hammer throw. Holtzhausen claimed the bronze medal for South Africa in a competitive final that saw Algeria’s Zahra Tatar successfully defend her title with a mark of 69.82m.
Viljoen Dominates to Reach 400m Final
On the track, Marlie Viljoen looks to be in the form of her life. Following her strong opening heat, she returned for the women’s 400m semifinals and signaled her intent by winning her heat convincingly against a high-quality field. She safely booked her spot in the final and remains a top prospect for further South African silverware.
Grit and Heartbreak in the Sprints and Multi-Events
It wasn’t all podium finishes, as several South Africans fought through grueling schedules. In the men’s decathlon, Morne Van As concluded his ten-event campaign with a massive effort, ultimately just missing out on a podium position in a deeply competitive field.
In the 100m semifinals, both Joviale Mbisha and Mihlali Xotyeni saw their individual campaigns come to an end. Despite strong performances in the opening rounds, both athletes narrowly missed out on qualifying for their respective finals in two of the fastest semifinal sessions in recent championship history.
With the medal count rising and several key athletes advancing to finals, Team South Africa heads into Day 3 with significant momentum.
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