Zambia youngster Muzala Samukonga collapsed in a heap after the run of his life (so far) led a shock gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Samukonga, 19, already pulled off one major upset when he claimed the top prize in the 400 metres at this year's African Championships. But the strain and struggle it took to repeat the feat in Birmingham was palpable in his reaction following another gold.
The teenager's legs gave out from underneath him barely a second after he crossed the finish line at Alexander Stadium. He then stumbled again after hopping a camera on his way to celebrating with those Zambia fans in attendance.
It was shortly after that Samukonga began throwing up and required medical attention before being escorted out in a wheelchair. He was in sufficient health to collect his medal, however, Zambia's first gold at this year's Games.
The result also marked the nation's maiden 400-metre title at the Commonwealth Games, and from such an unexpected source. Samukonga appears a somewhat wild talent for the time being, but this latest success is proof of the potential he holds over this distance.
England's Matthew Hudson-Smith and Boniface Ontuga Mweresa of Kenya both appeared to have the Zambian firmly in their rear-view at the final bend. However, Samukonga seared through the last 100 metres or so at blistering speed, almost as though he'd run a different race to his peers.
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Hudson-Smith finished 0.15 seconds off the winning time and settled for silver, while Jonathan Jones of Barbados collected the bronze. England's runner-up acknowledged his prize after the race but added it was 'not the colour he wanted.'
Mirror Sport's Alex Spink reported Samukonga was in 'rude health' for the medal presentation, doubling his country's Commonwealth collection in Birmingham. Boxer Patrick Chinyemba got Zambia on the board in Birmingham after taking bronze in the men's flyweight division.
Samukonga's strength down the straight makes him a major threat, though performance would surely improve with better race management. That being said, there likely isn't a lot the prodigious talent would change about his landmark Commonwealth crown.
