Addis Ababa, June 9, 2026 (FMC) – Swiss sportswear brand ON has announced the signing of South African sprint sensation and triple African U18 champion Mukona “Smiley” Manavhela to its global athlete roster.
The 17-year-old, widely regarded as one of the most promising young sprinters in world athletics, trains at Curro Hazeldean under coach Thabo Matebedi and has quickly risen through the ranks of international sprinting.
Manavhela has recorded personal bests of 10.14 seconds in the 100 metres and 20.45 seconds in the 200 metres, marking him as a standout performer on the global junior circuit. His breakthrough came at the 2025 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African U18 & U20 Championships, where he claimed three gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and medley relay events.
Born initially into rugby, Manavhela later shifted focus to athletics, a decision he says reshaped his sporting journey and ambitions.
“I got into sprinting after a decision to move away from rugby,” he said. “I felt I could make a bigger impact on the track, so I took a chance on running. What started as a choice has turned into a passion for pushing my limits.”
He said his partnership with ON reflects his long-term ambitions in elite sport.
“I chose ON because it feels like a brand that matches where I’m going, not just where I am. It’s innovative, performance-driven, and focused on progress,” he said.
ON Athlete Manager Silja Mühlebach welcomed the signing, describing Manavhela as a strong fit for the brand’s performance-focused philosophy.
“His explosive speed and triple continental titles speak to his natural talent, but it is his intentional mindset that makes him an extraordinary addition,” she said. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
The signing adds Manavhela to ON’s growing global track and field roster as the brand continues to invest in emerging elite athletes worldwide.