Mohamed Soudassi, a 19-year-old sprinter born in Khouribga, Morocco, has firmly established himself as a vital member of Italy's men’s 4×400m relay team. His remarkable performances have propelled him into the spotlight, particularly following a stunning gold medal victory at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England, on August 16, 2026. Soudassi, alongside teammates Edoardo Scotti, Luca Sito, and Lorenzo Benati, clinched the title with a time of 2:59.16, narrowly defeating the British team by a mere three-hundredths of a second, with the Netherlands taking the bronze medal. This victory is a testament to both Soudassi's talent and the collaborative spirit of the Italian relay team.
Born on November 22, 2006, Soudassi moved to Sicily at the tender age of one and has been residing in Avola ever since. His athletic career commenced in 2022 when he joined Atletica Avola. He later represented Solarino and Siracusatletica before making a significant move to Campania Enterprise this year. The young athlete showcased his exceptional abilities earlier in July, when he won the Italian U23 championship in the 400m with a time of 45.10 seconds, marking a historic achievement for Italian athletics. His performance was not only the fastest of the season but also ranked as the fifth-fastest in the history of the under-23 category, further establishing his reputation as a formidable competitor.
Soudassi's journey to success has been marked by challenges, including injuries that threatened to derail his progress. After enduring intestinal surgery last year and an open foot fracture this year, he demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following his recovery, he dedicated himself to rigorous training under the guidance of coach Pasquale Apàro, which ultimately led to his impressive results. At the Italian senior championships, he placed sixth in the 400m final, solidifying his status as a rising star in the athletics scene. His remarkable performance at the European Championships included setting a new championship record in the 4×400m relay heats, clocking an astonishing 2:58.10, which broke the longstanding European record held by Great Britain since 1990 and Italy's own national record from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Upon returning to Avola after his European triumph, Soudassi was welcomed as a local hero. The mayor of Avola, Rossana Cannata, publicly praised his achievements, expressing pride in his accomplishments and highlighting the emotional experience of witnessing him wear the national team jersey. Soudassi humbly acknowledged his victory, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and support from his coaches and teammates. As he looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games, Soudassi's journey serves as an inspiration to many young athletes, demonstrating that perseverance, dedication, and hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
