Manyonga again said he was eyeing the 8.95 world record held by Mike Powell since 1991.
“The world record is my next goal. Ruswahl and me are pushing each other through events. I am the best in the world — this sounds great‚” the beaming Manyonga said.
For Samaai this performance helped ease bad memories of the past two years. He finished ninth at the Rio Games while struggling with an injury‚ and he failed to qualify for the final at the last world championships in Beijing two years ago.
“I have been waiting for this medal‚” said Samaai‚ the 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.
“I have been training hard for this moment just to get a bronze medal. It has really been a roller coaster the past two years.
“But I just told myself to stay injury free and I am gonna get a medal.”
Manyonga and Samaai‚ who both come from Paarl in the Western Cape‚ had entered the championships as the top two seeds with Lawson ranked third.