Reigning Commonwealth 400m champion Muzala Samukonga has made a stunning Olympic debut, storming into the men’s 400m semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Games.
The Zambian Soldier clocked an impressive 44.56 seconds to win his heat that had two other Africans, finishing 0.31 seconds ahead of Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori, who crossed the line in 44.87 seconds. South Africa’s Lythe Pillay came seventh in the same heat with a time of 45.60 seconds
Samukonga, 24, appeared to ease off towards the finish, suggesting there may be more to come from the African champion in the later rounds.
His rise to prominence has been meteoric. In April 2023, he ran the second-fastest 400m of the year, clocking 43.91 in Gaborone, Botswana. This made him only the third African after South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala to break the 44-second barrier.
His gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was Zambia’s first-ever in the 400m event. That same year, he clinched the African Championships title and finished ninth at the World Championships in his first competition outside Africa.
More recently, Samukonga claimed silver at the 2024 African Games and gold in the 4x400m relay.
From humble beginnings in Lusaka’s Ng’ombe compound, Samukonga has risen to become a national hero in Zambia. His Commonwealth victory earned him significant recognition at home, including a two-bedroom house and a cash prize of more than $20,000 (£15,800) from the government and corporate sponsors.
A staff sergeant in the Zambia National Service, Samukonga’s athletic career has not been without setbacks. A hamstring injury at the Silesia Diamond League in July 2023 forced him to withdraw from the World Championships.
However, his strong showing in Paris suggests he has overcome that disappointment.
Honoured as Zambia’s flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony, he now looks to be a genuine medal contender in a highly competitive 400m field.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday, with the final to follow on Thursday.
