Zambian youth Muzala Samukonga has collapsed (so far) for life after winning a stunning gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Samkongha, 19, already had one big upset when he won the 400m at this year's African Championships. But the tension and struggle it took to repeat the feat in Birmingham was evident in his reaction after winning another gold medal.
Alexander crossing his line to finish at his stadium After doing so, the teenager's leg went limp from under him in just one second. Then he tripped again after jumping around for cameras to celebrate with Zambian fans in attendance.
Shortly after, Samkongha began vomiting and required medical attention before being taken out in a wheelchair. Although he was in good enough health to collect a medal, Zambia won gold for the first time at this year's competition.
This result, also the first domestic title for his 400-meter run at the Commonwealth Games, came from such an unexpected source. Samkongha looks like a wild talent, but his latest success proves the potential he has at this distance.
England's Matthew Hudson-Smith and Kenya's Bonifas Ontuga Mweretha both looked to have the Zambian firmly behind them at the final turn. But Samkonga blazed through his final 100m or so and seemed to be running a different race.
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REUTERS)Hudson Smith finished 0.15 seconds off his winning time to take the silver medal and Jonathan of Barbados. Jones won the bronze medal. The England runner-up conceded his prize after the race, but added it was "not the color he wanted." Reported to be in "extremely ill health" for presentation and doubled his country's Commonwealth collection in Birmingham. Boxer Patrick Chiniemba won Zambia in Birmingham after winning bronze in the men's flyweight division.
Samconga's strength in the straights makes him a big threat, but better race management will definitely improve his performance. That said, the prodigious talent won't change much about his groundbreaking Commonwealth crown.
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