Athletics South Africa (01/11/05)

South Africa's Godfrey Khotso Mokoena of Potchefstroom, must be considered a medal prospect at next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Mokoena, 20, who set a new national Long Jump record of 8.27m at the fourth annual Prisma Comms Ericsson Athletics Championships held in the Pilditch stadium on Saturday, is at present one of the top three jumpers in the Commonwealth.

What makes his new record even more impressive, is that he recorded his winning jump against a wind of 2.0 metres per second.

If all his opponents participate in Melbourne, it will be a real tussle between Mokoena, Ignisious Gaisah of Ghana and James Beckford of Jamaica.

Gaisah is third on the world rankings this year with a best performance of 8.34m. Beckford is seventh with a jump of 8.28m and Mokoena tenth.

But his distance of 8.37m set in Johannesburg in April is the best in the Commonwealth this year. The jump was, however, not registered as a record, because a wrong tape measure was used.

The Aussie factor also has to be taken into account. The Australian sportsmen and women always keep their best for their home crowds and lesser known athletes such as Tim Parravicini (19th, best of 8.18 in 2005) and the teenager Chris Noffke (7.95) cannot be ruled out.

It is a fact that Mokoena can win gold in Melbourne, but he will have to be at his best and he can expect stiff opposition. If he succeeds, that will be yet another record for the South African student.

The Potchefstroom athlete said: "Gaisah beat me a couple of times this year, but it was my first year as senior and things will be different next year.

"I was surprised with my record jump in Pretoria because I wanted to take things easy and record a couple of comfortable jumps of just over 8m. I also just started training a few weeks ago."

Mokoena is not getting too excited about his chances to win gold in Australia.

"I know I can win a medal there if I stay focused and positive. I don't mind the colour of the medal."

Culled from the Athletics South Africa website.