Muzala Samukonga becomes first African to join Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league

Muzala Samukonga becomes first African to join Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league

Abigael Wafula 17:58 - 26.09.2024

Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga became the first African to join Michael Johnson's money-minting track league after an impressive season, including winning Olympic bronze in the 400m.

Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga is the first African to join Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league following his impressive performance this season.

Muzala Samukonga became the second Zambian to win an Olympic medal at the Paris Olympic Games, claiming bronze in the men’s competitive 400m race. The first Zambian to achieve the feat was Samuel Matete who claimed a silver medal in the 400m hurdles at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.

He now joins the Grand Slam Track league as a race ahead of its launch next season and is the first African to sign with the money-spitting event. Samukonga has enjoyed a great season and ending it with such a huge milestone is a blessing.

After the Olympic Games, he did not stop his dominant exploits as he went on to finish third at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels. He also clocked a national record time and personal best time of 43.74 seconds in the 400m, ending the season as the third on the all-time African list.

In an interview, Muzala Samukonga expressed excitement to have signed with the Grand Slam Track League but insisted that he just wants to take a day at a time and enjoy the sport without putting a lot of pressure on himself.

“At the moment, I’m looking forward to being consistent and not rushing to attempt the world record. Like coach said, we still have a long way to go. We just have to take it easy. It will come when it’s time,” he said.

Others who have been announced recently are Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos and Clement Ducos who join the list of athletes who had already been announced earlier. The 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the first athlete to sign with the Grand Slam Track League.

World champion Josh Kerr was also unveiled and he will battle it out with Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker who were recently unveiled. Olympic podium finishers Masai Russell, Cyrena Samba-Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn have also been announced.

Olympic 100m bronze medallist Fred Kerley and Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek were also unveiled with Melissa Jefferson the only 100m runner unveiled so far.

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