Samukonga qualifies for 400m final

Sprinter Muzala Samukonga has qualified for the men’s 400m final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Samukonga put himself in the right position to defend the title he won at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after a semifinal triumph.

He finished second in his semi-final after clocking 45.95s.

UK’s Thomas Reynolds won the race after clocking 45.63s.

Samukonga’s compatriots Patrick Nyambe and Kennedy Luchembe also recorded impressive results in their respective men’s 400m semi-finals. Nyambe clocked 46.50s while Luchembe clocked 46.60s.

In the women’s 400m semi-final, Niddy Mingilishi clocked 55.10s.

Despite their determined performances, Nyambe, Luchembe, and Mingilishi did not progress to the men’s and women’s 400m finals.

The trio will now shift focus to the 4x400m mixed relay, where they will join the rest of Team Zambia’s relay squad in pursuit of a strong performance.

Samukonga remains Zambia’s sole representative in the men’s 400m final as he bids for a medal.

Meanwhile, the National Olympic Committee of Zambia – NOCZ has applauded the performance of boxer Albert Ngulube despite his elimination from the Commonwealth Games.

Ngulube was eliminated from the Men’s 60kg category at the quarter-final stage.

“The young Zambian boxer earned widespread admiration for the spirited performance he delivered against defending Commonwealth champion Jude Gallagher of Northern Ireland. Ngulube pushed the experienced champion all the way in a closely contested contest that was decided by a 2–3 split decision, highlighting the determination, skill and composure he displayed on one of boxing’s biggest stages,” NOCZ stated.

“Making his Commonwealth Games debut, Ngulube proved he belongs among the elite, giving Team Zambia and the nation plenty to be proud of. His courageous display has marked him as one of Zambia’s exciting boxing prospects,” NOCZ added.

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