Look out Paris, Birmingham unveils new teenage sensation

ZAMBIAN teenager Muzala Samukonga won his nation’s first-ever Commonwealth Games 400m title as Sada Williams gave Barbados their first gold in the women’s event on the final day of athletics in Birmingham.

Samukonga, 19, who timed 44.66sec, exited the stadium in a wheelchair after tripping over a low advertising hoarding as he ran to collect his national flag.

England’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who won bronze in the event at last month’s world championships, was forced to settle for silver.

The 27-year-old had set his hopes on gold but was sanguine after admitting recently that he had attempted suicide last year.

“It’s not the colour I wanted but you have to take the good with the bad,” he said. “If you asked me a year ago would I be able to do this I would have said ‘no’.” The English athlete, seeing Samukonga crying on the podium during the medals ceremony, put his hand on his shoulder.

Williams outclassed Victoria Ohuruogu, who missed out on emulating her elder sister, 2008 Olympic gold medallist Christine, who won Commonwealth gold in 2006.

Williams, 24, who won bronze at the recent world championships, set a new Games record of 49.90sec, with Ohuruogu taking silver.

“It’s amazing (to be part of the Barbados

team),” said Williams. “I am so proud of Jonathan (Jones who won bronze in the men’s 400m).

“I can’t begin to imagine (the reaction back home). Everybody’s probably going crazy right now.” India also celebrated a historic gold, which adds gloss to a highly successful athletics competition for them in Birmingham.

Eldhose Paul hopped, skipped and jumped into Indian athletics folklore as he delivered their first triple jump title with a best mark of 17.03m.