Dominic Adriaanse
Paarl’s Rushwal Samaai is jumping for joy after equalling the African all-comers’ record at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League meeting’s long jump event in Rabat, Morocco.
Samaai, who grew up with his three siblings and a single mother in a shack in Magnolia flats in Paarl, is taking part in international events as he prepares to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
At the weekend, the long jump was one of the most exciting events in Rabat as Samaai not only came from behind to beat Australia’s 2015 IAAF World Championship Beijing silver medallist, Fabrice Lapierre, but jumped 8.31m.
He also equalled his personal record and the all- comers’ record with a distance of 8.38m to be named champion of the long jump event.
He reached distances of 8.03m, 8.09m and 8.12m before jumping 8.38m.
The achievement adds to the numerous records achieved and his bronze medal won at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Samaai is the second eldest of four children.
Starting out as backyarders at her grandmother’s home, Minnie said yesterday she had worked hard to provide a better life for her children.
“I had a vision for my children,” she said.
Her son was a quiet child and went from strength to strength with his athletics.
“He broke his leg in 2010 and it was a difficult time as he was starting to improve,” she said.
Due to his athletic and academic achievements, Samaai soon received a scholarship to one of Paarl’s premier high schools, Gimnasium.
Elsonia Nel was athletics’ director at the school and is unbelievably proud of what her “rough diamond” has accomplished.
“Seeing his growth has been amazing. His mother was the strong influence,” said Nel.
Samaai’s coach, Jenny Kingwill, said:
“His spirits are up and he is looking forward to the next events.”
Kingwill said she had no doubt he would qualify for the Olympics and believed he could walk away with the gold medal.