Carl Lewis turning Shaun Maswanganyi into a superstar - Hendrick Mokganyetsi

Speaking to SABC Sport shortly before the departure to Chengdu, China where the 31st World University Games are being held from the 28th of July to the 8th of August, Mokganyetsi says Lewis is turning Maswanganyi into a world class athlete.

The 100m and 200m sprint sensation is based in the US at the University of Houston and is one of the athletes who will be taking part in these Universiade Games.

"Definitely, we are looking up at Shawn and Shawn is very dedicated this year and is ready. The 100m, the 200m and the 4x100m really. We had a chat with his coach Carl Lewis and he said Shawn is mentally ready and is looking forward to representing his country at Chengdu," Mokganyetsi said.

At the height of his career, Lewis won 10 gold medals at the Olympic Games and 10 World Championship medals including eight gold, competing in the 100m, 200m, relays and the Long Jump.

Mokganyetsi, a former SA international in 400m and 800m and now currently an Athletics South Africa (ASA) board member as well, also reveals that Maswanganyi whose personal best time this season is 9.91 seconds, the second fastest time in the 100m in South Africa’s history, wants to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and go for Long Jump as well.

"It has changed his life [on Shawn being trained by Carl Lewis]. It has put self confidence in him that he can deliver and he's challenging his coaches' achievements and he also said that going forward he's gonna do long jump because his coach has been doing long jump," he added.

"We are very excited as a country for what the legend has contributed to Shawn's life in terms of athletics, investing in his name. We are saying it should go broader, we need more of Shawn Maswanganyi's. More of the legends to come back and plough, so that the country delivers."