Ranked fifth in the world this year with his personal best-equalling leap of 8.38 metres Ruswahl Samaai is steeled to challenge for a medal at the Rio Olympics.
Samaai has not only been one of the most consistent jumpers this season but he has also produced the big jumps to underline his potential as a medal prospect.
The Paarl-born athlete is a walking, talking motivational poster, and it seems almost impossible to get him down from the cloud he currently occupies.
He boasts 19 jumps over eight metres, of which four were over 8.20m - one wind assisted - to highlight his class this season.
“It is all about improvement for me, improving my speed, improving my technique each and every time,” Samaai said.
“It is a blessing that I have the country behind me and that I can possibly win a medal.
“I am loving the support I am getting from everyone, and I just have to go out there and execute.”
In his last meet before the Olympics in Monaco, Samaai uncharacteristically recorded four 'no-jumps' from six attempts.
Samaai admitted not finding the take-off board was frustrating but he found solace in the reason for the 'no-jumps'.
“I am getting quicker by the day, so we have to sort out my run up first, I had a few huge leaps in Monaco but they were 'no-jumps,'’ Samaai said. “I am not known for 'no-jumps', and sometimes it is frustrating when you step over all the time knowing they are good jumps.
“For me now it's just about adjusting my run up, I am getting faster by the day which is a good sign, and eventually everything will fall into place.”
The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist will lead South Africa’s men’s long jump charge here where he will be joined by former World Junior champion Luvo Manyonga, and Stefan Brits.
Manyonga opened his season with two impressive jumps including a new personal best of 8.30m in Pretoria earlier this year.
The US-based Brits also produced a breakthrough jump of 8.22m in Tallahassee in May to earn his place in the team. It was the second time in Brits’career that he had managed to leap further than eight metres, and he will be looking for a repeat during the Games.
The Olympics could produce some big distances with American Jarrion Lawson leading the way with 8.58m and countryman Marquise Goodwin reaching 8.45m.
Samaai believes the strong field could mean jumpers having to leap well beyond the eight metre mark just to get on the podium: “We are ready to compete against the best in the world, we have the ability to get medals at the Olympic Games.”
“I am ready, and we will see what is going to happen … I love the pressure, I live for pressure and I live for competition.”
The jumper with a sunny disposition attributed his bullish attitude to the success of double national record-holder Khotso Mokoena, who led the way with his Beijing 2008 silver medal.
“Khotso Mokoena opened doors for us, he made every single long jumper in South Africa believe the potential is there in the country,” he said. “We can also get medals and he opened the flood gates, and the important thing for us is to execute.
“We are ready to compete against the best in the world, we have the ability to get medals at the Olympic Games.” – The Star