Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga is riding the wave of his newfound fame following a stellar year on the track highlighted by his bronze medal win in the men’s 400m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The 21-year-old’s impressive performance, where he clocked a time of 43.74 seconds, not only secured him a place on the podium but also set a new national record for Zambia.
However, with fame has come increased scrutiny, and Samukonga is still adjusting to the changes in his life.
“My life changed completely this year. It is hard to even explain this fully. I am recognizable in my home country now and it is not easy sometimes. But you have to be strong enough as an athlete to deal with it,” Samukonga said after Rome Diamond League.
The youngster acknowledged that not everyone would be supportive of his achievements, and some critics have emerged along the way.
“Not everyone is going to like you, it is normal. You just have to do what makes you happy,” he added.
Despite the challenges off the track, Samukonga has continued to excel on it.
Fresh off his Olympic success, he stunned the competition once again at the Rome Diamond League, running a blistering 44.39 seconds to win the men’s 400m.
Samukonga edged out elite athletes such as Grenada’s Kirani James and the United States’ Bryce Deadmon, cementing his place as a top contender in the sport.
“The win at the Diamond League means a lot. Running sub-44 is not easy, you have to be at top level to do that. I still have the Diamond League final coming up. Anything is possible there. I do not want to say what I will do, I just want to run my best,” Samukonga said.
However, the road to stardom has not been without its difficulties. After a previous race at the Lausanne Diamond League, Samukonga found himself the target of criticism on social media, with some detractors questioning his performances and personal choices.
The young sprinter admitted that dealing with such negativity has been a learning curve but he remains focused on his goals.
Earlier this year, Samukonga made headlines when he penned a letter highlighting the financial struggles faced by Zambian athletes.
He expressed his frustration with unfulfilled promises from the government calling for better support for those representing the nation on the global stage.
This candid message sparked mixed reactions with some rallying behind him while others criticized his decision to speak out.
Samukonga’s racing style, characterized by his aggressive approach to the 400m, has set him apart from his peers.
In an event where pacing is key he defies conventional wisdom pushing his limits from the start and often leaving nothing in reserve by the time he crosses the finish line.
The 400m is widely considered one of the most challenging sprints, requiring a perfect balance of speed and endurance.
Runners who go out too fast risk burning out before the finish, while those who start slow may never catch up.
Yet Samukonga has found a way to bend these rules in his favor, consistently delivering impressive performances that have placed him among the world’s best.
The world first took notice of Samukonga at the African Championships in 2022, where he burst onto the scene with a standout performance.
Since then his rise has been meteoric and his story has become one of inspiration for athletes in Zambia and beyond.
