Luvo Manyonga: South African Athlete Opens Up on Drug Addiction Battle Ahead of Remarkable Comeback
- Luvo Manyonga has opened up on his struggle with drug addiction as he makes a return to athletics after years of being away
- The South African long jumper narrates some of the challenges he faced during the addiction period, and also losing his mother
- The 35-year-old athlete would be participating at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland
South African athlete, Luvo Manyonga, has signalled a remarkable return to athletics years after a struggle with drug addiction. He is set to feature in the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun.
Source: Getty Images
In 2017, Manyonga won gold in the long jump even at the World Athletics Championships in London, but has been off the athletics scene due to a ban.
In 2024, reports had it that the Mzansi athlete blew R8.4 million and now relies on the government's R350 grant. The 35-year-old has struggled with drugs.
Manyonga struggles with drug addiction
Manyonga was banned for 18 months in 2012 after test results showed that he was positive for tik, a street form of methamphetamine prevalent in South African communities.
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In 2020, he was handed another four-year suspension due to his failure to declare his whereabouts to anti-doping authorities during a period when his life was spiralling out of control.
The four-year suspension ended in the final month of 2024, which paved the way for him to make a comeback to athletics. During his time away from the sport, his addiction was way out of control, and he got involved in different crimes, which included muggings and break-ins.
Reflecting on that period, he admitted he was driven solely by the need for his next fix, reaching a point he describes as rock bottom. He confirmed that the death of his mum dealt a severe emotional blow to his life.
In 2023, he moved to the Eastern Cape after an unfortunate incident led to him being violently assaulted with a baseball bat, leaving him unable to walk for days.
Source: Getty Images
Manyonga return to athletics
Manyonga's turning point was in 2023 after moving to the Eastern Cape, and he resumed training in Johannesburg under coach Herman Venske, after his suspension ended. He was placed under a strict schedule of morning gym sessions and afternoon track work, which he adhered to.
The 35-year-old took part in a small event in Stellenbosch and recorded a 7.31m jump, but it is well below his 8.65m career-best set in 2017.
Manyonga's form has steadily improved, surpassing eight metres in October 2025, and jumping 8.11m in February 2026 to qualify for Poland.
He admits that success came too quickly during his early years, particularly for someone from a township background without a support system. He did not complete school, and his family lacked the experience to help him navigate sudden fame and financial success.
Looking back, he acknowledges that arrogance and unresolved issues contributed to his downfall, with his substance abuse only a matter of time before escalating.
Despite his turbulent past, the Olympic silver medallist remains confident heading into the championships, where he will be the oldest athlete in the long jump field.
He believes he still has the ability to produce major performances and compete for top honours, comparing himself to a powerful engine that has been idle for years but is now ready to roar back to life.
Ex-Bafana star hopes to start afresh
Briefly News also reported that former Bafana Bafana and PSL star Lerato Chabangu was also in rehab due to drug addiction.
The former South African international is working on coming back to the game and becoming a football manager after his rehabilitation.
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Source: Briefly News
