Not long ago, long jumper Zarck Visser was scaling the same heights as star of the moment Luvo Manyonga.

In fact, Visser's old form suggested that he would be the one - not Manyonga - to break Khotso Mokoena's 8.50m national and African record that had stood for eight years. Manyonga has since stretched the distance to 8.62m and later 8.65m in a space of a month.

Unfortunately for Visser, 28, the pain of being scratched out of the Rio Olympic team despite having qualified left him picking up the pieces. His heartbreak was further compounded by a fractured shin bone. "I am starting from scratch," declared Visser.

He said his third-place finish with a leap of 8.03m at the recent national championships signalled that a strong comeback was on the cards.

"Not going to Rio [Olympics] left me with an emotional breakdown that affected not only my professional but personal life as well.

"This is the biggest comeback I've ever made. If I put enough work in the next few months and qualify for the [IAAF] world championships [in London in August], it means I stand a chance to win a medal."

The former SA long jump champion - with a personal best of 8.41m - had surgery in December to fix a tibia fracture.

Visser said he was "happy" to lose to Manyonga and Ruswahl Samaai at the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in Potchefstroom, North West a fortnight ago. "It builds my character for next competitions."

He will jump in Hengelo, Holland and Germany next month.