French sprint sensation Cyrena Samba-Mayela has emerged as one of the brightest talents in international hurdling. Born in Champigny-sur-Marne, France, to Congolese parents, Mayela has combined natural speed with technical mastery, enabling her to break national records and claim major titles.
Meanwhile, Samba-Mayela is highly renowned for winning silver in the 100m hurdles at the 2017 World U18 Championships. Meanwhile, this early success set the stage for a rapid ascent through the ranks of European and world athletics. Over the years, Mayela has worked hard to refine her technique and hone her speed in anticipation of the upcoming competition for the rest of the season.
Samba-Mayela: Overcoming Setbacks and Setting Records
Cyrena Samba-Mayela, silver medalist in the 100m hurdles at the 2017 World U18 Championships
In 2022, Mayela won gold in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships. Showcasing her strength in a highly competitive field. Meanwhile, not only did she claim the title, but she also set a new French national record with a time of 7.73 seconds. A mark that announced her as a serious contender on the global stage.
However, Samba Mayela didn`t stop there. In 2024, she captured the European Athletics Championships 100m hurdles title, smashing both the championship and national records with a time of 12.31 seconds.
However, Mayela has faced injury challenges just like any other athlete. A hamstring injury forced Samba-Mayela to miss the Tokyo Olympics, a major setback for the young athlete. Yet, Samba-Mayela’s resilience shone through as she returned stronger.
She earlier trained under former triple jump world champion Teddy Tamgho before moving to Florida to work with coach John Coghlan. A move that has helped her sharpen her skills and regain her competitive edge.
However, Mayela remains focused on her ultimate goal: Olympic gold. As the athletics world watches closely, Cyrena Samba-Mayela stands ready to take her place among the sport’s titans. There`s no doubt that she is poised to make a lasting impact on the global hurdling scene.