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Cape Town - South African Olympic medallist Khotso Mokoena says his swan song isn’t over yet despite failing to make an impact at the Rio Games.
Godfrey Khotso Mokoena ended his final Olympic leap on Monday after posting his best distance of 16.51m in three attempts in the triple long jump.
To qualify for the final, he had to either achieve a distance of 16.95m or finish in the top twelve.
He unfortunately couldn’t get there, but nonetheless bows out in his final Olympic Games as South Africa’s most successful long jumper.
At the Rio Games, Mokoena and javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen made South African history by competing in their fourth Olympic Games.
Mokoena was the sole redemption in 2008 in Beijing, as he became our only medallist in one of South Africa’s most disappointing Olympic campaigns. He picked up silver in the long jump with a distance of 8.24m.
His success has prompted other aspiring jumpers, such as Rio Olympic medallist Luvo Manyonga who bagged silver in the men’s long jump.
The 31-year-old insists he’s not retiring and still has lots to offer, as he'd like to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and another World Championship.
When asked on how he achieved his success over the last 16 years, Mokoena said: “I stayed persistent.”
Going forward, the Olympic medallist says he’ll continue the same process for his final athletic years: “(It) will be same method when I retire in 2019 after defending my Commonwealth Games title. Persistent.”
When asked by another Twitter follower if he’ll hang up his spikes, he said, “I'm only done with Olympics but still two more years. I won't see another Olympics.”
I'm only done with Olympics but still two more years. I won't see another Olympics. https://t.co/lSzsCkjZQ9
— khotso mokoena (@mokoenajumper1) August 16, 2016
Well done luvo the great youngster. You put up a good fight. I can't wait to witness you break my African record. You are blessed my boy!!!
— khotso mokoena (@mokoenajumper1) August 14, 2016
