Learn more about Samukonga’s story in this Q&A by Anderson Emerole, who managed to catch up with the Olympic bronze medalist and his coach Douglas Kalembo while in Brussels for the Diamond League final. The interview has been edited lightly for clarity and length.

Anderson Emerole: We're coming up to the end of 2024. You had such an amazing season coming off your bronze medal at the Olympic Games. What are the initial feelings now as the season comes to a close?

Muzala Samukonga: First of all, I want to thank the one above for everything. It hasn't been an easy journey, to be honest, but I thank God for everything.

Anderson Emerole: Coach DK, how do you reflect on everything coming off the Olympics now that the season is ending, seeing everything Muzala has accomplished this year?

Coach DK: This has been a fantastic year. That was my dream as a coach. I lived in America for 27 years, and at one point, I decided to go back home. I got a track scholarship in the U.S. — I went to Blinn College and then Angelo State. After school, I started coaching. I coached Chris Brown and we won a medal for him in the indoor 400m.

From there, I decided to go back home. For me, seeing this achievement in my own country was a big thing for me. I’m so proud of myself. I dreamed of this one day. Chris Brown even asked me, "Coach, why are you going back to Africa?" I wanted to start from scratch and see what I could do. “Coach, you're living a good life here and you say you want to go back home?” Yes, I wanted to go back and see what I could do.

For some reason, I found Muzala, and here we are now in 2024. It has been a fantastic year. When I saw MJ doing his own thing, I was there watching. I remember when Samuel Matete won a silver medal. I was part of the coaching staff with him back then. So for me to do this again is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Anderson Emerole: Going back to Africa and finding him, can we dive into that a little bit? You're from Lusaka, right? What was it like growing up? You had a lot of siblings and maybe moved around from place to place with family. What was that experience growing up?

Coach DK: When I found him, he was in a difficult situation. It was bad and sometimes it gives me emotions. He said, "Coach, if you do anything for me, I will be able to do something for you." I had to take over as a parent, as a brother – I was everything to him to make sure he could survive. I told him, "I will do everything for you, spend anything for you. Just let me know. I will do it. If your parents need anything, I will be there for you. Let’s fight to be able to change everything. I want to change your mother's life, your father's life, and all your siblings’ lives. I want to do that. That is my goal.”

That’s how we met and how we started working. He was just a young kid then. I brought him in and shared stories about MJ. Watching him was always inspiring to me. I told him that he could change things and he was able to do it. It was a bad situation, but we made it good. Everyone in Zambia now looks up to him, as he showed that if you are determined, you can do it.

We worked tirelessly. I would go to where he lived, pick him up in the morning, and we’d train together. I made sure he had lunch and he would get some for supper too. We did that throughout the year. His story is very inspiring. I get emotional thinking about it because I never thought someone like him could do what he did.

Anderson Emerole: That's really powerful. Muzala, hearing your coach speak so in-depth about the passion he has for you and the relationship you have, how does that make you feel?

Muzala Samukonga: What he said is the truth.

Anderson Emerole: It’s been such a journey what you guys have been through.

Muzala Samukonga: He’s been there since day one, doing everything for me.

Anderson Emerole: Did you always have a passion for athletics or was it something that you got into as he started coaching you? When did you really feel that you wanted to get into athletics?

Muzala Samukonga: I discovered my talent in grade four through physical education. A teacher said to me, "Muzala, you can run." That’s how I started participating. Then I learned about Usain Bolt and I told myself, "One day, I’ll be like Bolt." Back then, I was running the 100m and 200m. Eventually, I joined Zambia Athletics in 2018 as a 400m runner. Coach DK discovered me and said, ‘This boy can run,’ and he started taking care of me. I qualified for the World Junior Championship in Kenya and reached the finals. That’s when he really believed that, ‘This guy can run!’ He started investing in me.

Anderson Emerole: This journey has been long, but you're still so young. In 2018, you joined the club. Four years later in 2022, you’re at the Commonwealth Games winning a gold medal. How have you managed to stay consistent through these developmental years?

Muzala Samukonga: I do all this for my family and because of my coach. He has sacrificed so much and I don’t want to disappoint him or my family. I’m the one taking care of my family, so if I start playing around, people back home will suffer. I always remind myself to stay strong.

Anderson Emerole: Coach, during those formative years from 2018 to now, how have you helped Muzala stay grounded and continue his development and success?

Coach DK: I’ve always told him it takes ten years to develop someone to world-class level. Scientifically, you need that time to become like MJ. But I told him that I wanted him to break that cycle and help him become a world champion without that ten-year wait. I said, “Commitment, that’s number one, and communication — what I call the five C’s: commitment, concentration, communication, concentration, all those give C’s.” I told him, “These are the keys to becoming a world or Olympic champion.”

It surprised me that we achieved a bronze medal at this stage. Our first goal was to reach the finals and then aim for a medal in the next Olympics. We defied science. I told him, “Commitment in training, trust the process, and that’s it.” He follows those things, which makes my job easier because we communicate and are able to come up with magic.

Anderson Emerole: The Commonwealth Games in 2022 was a breakthrough moment for you. Fast forward to 2023 in Botswana, you ran 43 seconds for the first time, beating Kirani James. What did that race mean to you?

Muzala Samukonga: I didn’t expect to run 43 seconds anytime soon. It was crazy — I didn't believe it. I had a hamstring issue, but coach said, "Muzala, go and run. Whatever happens, let’s try our luck." Then I ran 43 seconds, which means a lot to me.

Anderson Emerole: Coach, when you saw the clock showing 43 seconds, what went through your mind?

Coach DK: For me, it wasn't a big surprise because I knew he was capable. If anyone could attempt the world record, it would be him. I’m looking at the age when Van Niekerk set the record; he was 25. Muzala is 21, and he has the potential to do that. When he ran that time, I knew he hadn’t reached his peak yet. He kept breaking his own time at every meet.

Anderson Emerole: You ran 43 seconds to get the bronze medal at the Olympics. When you finally crossed the line and saw your name on the board, what was going through your mind?

Muzala Samukonga: I didn’t believe it at first since it was so tight. I thought, "Is that my name?" Then I saw the Zambian flag and realized it was real. It was a great moment.

Anderson Emerole: You both have talked about the importance of family and giving back to your country. What has the reception been like since you’ve become the bronze medalist?

Coach DK: Right now they are doing preparations to welcome him back home. I’m really glad the government and country are recognizing him. Everyone is excited because it’s been a long time since Zambia won a medal in any sport. It should be a very big event to welcome him back home.

Anderson Emerole: I can only imagine the celebration! To close out, you spoke about him being in his early 20s and having the potential to break the world record one day. Is that the goal? How do you shift things as you look ahead to the next couple of years?

Coach DK: As a coach, I’m looking at winning championships. We got the bronze now, but at the Olympics, we want the gold. We missed the World Championship in Budapest. The next World Championships in Tokyo, he has to go there. His body is getting stronger. He’s still young in age and has gained experience this year so that next year, we can go in with confidence.

He can go in thinking, ‘I’m one of those guys now.” Him being in this league just motivates him even more. It’s like winning gold being in this league. For him and for myself, we are saying, “This is the breakthrough we are looking for.” Everything is up to us on how we will attack this thing.

Anderson Emerole: You already compete pretty frequently throughout the year. Joining the league, you’ll have a set schedule where you’ll get to compete in the 400m and 200m quite frequently. I'm sure that gives you some excitement for 2025.

What excites you most about the years to come in your career?

Muzala Samukonga: 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.

Anderson Emerole: The consistency is clearly working. You’ve been showing up and showing out. You’re making Zambia and all of Africa proud. We look forward to seeing more from you. Get some well-deserved rest!

Who Else Has Signed With Grand Slam Track Thus Far:

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (June 18th)

Josh Kerr (June 27th)

Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse (Sept. 4th)

Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek (Sept. 12th)

Melissa Jefferson (Sept. 19th)

Masai Russell, Cyrena Samba Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Sept. 25th)

Alison Dos Santos and Clément Ducos (Sept. 26th)