TRACK & FIELD
PLANNING TO SOAR
Looking ahead , Jovan says he aims to make the best of every opportunity this year . “ I am not going to take anything for granted . A lot is at stake , with the World Championships this year and then next year ’ s Paris Olympic Games . They upped the qualification standards from last year – to compete at Worlds , I need to jump 8.25 metres – and the qualifying distance for the Olympics is 8.27 metres .”
Jovan van Vuuren under the watchful eye of coach Neil Cornelius .
Jovan says he would like to qualify as quickly as possible . “ If I do , it will be a weight off my shoulders . Consistency is going to be essential . The challenge will be to try and average 8.16 to 8.20 metres , which will be the perfect platform to go big . My goal for 2023 is therefore to be consistent – preferably 8.20 metres at every meeting – and if I manage to do that , I know that one special jump will come , and it will be enormous !”
To achieve this , he says he has also made some changes in his jumping technique . “ Neil and I decided it was time to change my technique . My approach to take-off is now a ten-step pace , and not nine anymore . I am also not doing the hang technique anymore . We concluded that I had reached a ‘ ceiling ’ and would never get close to 8.40 metres or further . I have also upped the time I spend in the gym . On paper , I am in a perfect place , so I am excited to see what will happen when I start to compete this season .”
Long jumping success comes down to getting the fine details right .
The basis of this article was supplied by the Department of Sport ( TuksSport ) at the University of Pretoria . To find out more about their sporting clubs and facilities , go to www . up . ac . za / tukssport .
Since 2016 , which South African coach has guided athletes to medals at the Olympic Games , Paralympic Games , World Championships and the Commonwealth Games ? There is a good chance that very few sports fans will know the answer to this , but that does not bother Neil Cornelius . He is not coaching to be famous . He coaches because he gets a kick out of seeing his athletes fulfil their goals . It is why he spends hours on end next to a sandpit , trying to figure out what it will take for long and triple jumpers to fly through the air for those precious extra centimetres . If they do , it means they will medal .
The Tuks long jumping coach is seemingly doing something right , as can be seen from the results of his athletes . In 2016 , Luvo Manyonga won silver in the long jump at the Rio Olympic Games . The following year Luvo won gold at the World Championships in London . During the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo , Nthando Mahlangu won gold in the long jump , and this past August , Jovan van Vuuren won bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games .
While he is a full-time coach , Neil says he does not see it as work . To him , it is a calling . “ It is hard to describe the feelings I experienced when Jovan won bronze in Birmingham . When I saw the joy and the emotion on his face , I realised again why I was coaching . It is to make a difference . You can ' t put a monetary value to any such moment .”
LEARNING TO FLY
According to Neil , athletics is in his blood . “ I grew up next to the athletics track when my dad was coaching , and my uncle Steve was quite competitive when he competed as a junior in the discus and hammer throw events . Unfortunately , my own athletics career was curtailed early on by an ankle ligament injury , but I still wanted to be involved in athletics , so I started coaching . Within a year , one of my young athletes jumped further than I did as a senior , and it made me realise that I might have a coaching talent .”
Today , Neil is on a constant quest to find ways to help the athletes he coaches to improve , and to win medals . “ I have found that you can learn a lot by listening and interacting with other coaches , and I am never shy to ask others for help . Recently , I had interesting conversations with sprint coach Paul Gorries about what I can do to improve my jumpers ' speed in their run-ups . Also , during the Birmingham Games , I met former SA long jump record-holder Khotso Mokoena , and he told me what he did when he was at his best . It made me think .”
“ I also correspond with some international coaches , and I feel it is essential to get as many ideas as you can , because I have learnt there is no one definite blueprint for success . What works for one athlete does not work for another . That is why it also helps to listen to your athletes , as they can sometimes come up with exciting ideas , which may lead to better results . I think the most important thing any coach should realise is that you will never know everything .”
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