Mary Moraa’s track rival Athing Mu honored with striking mural in New Jersey hometown

Athing Mu (USA) competes in the women's 800m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships held at Budapest's National Athletics Centre in Hungary.

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Athing Mu (USA) competes in the women's 800m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships held at Budapest's National Athletics Centre in Hungary.

Mary Moraa’s track rival Athing Mu honored with striking mural in New Jersey hometown

Festus Chuma 11:40 - 13.12.2024

Mary Moraa's track rival, Athing Mu, has been honored with a striking mural in her hometown celebrating her Olympic triumphs.

One of Mary Moraa’s track rivals, Athing Mu recently celebrated a heartwarming tribute in her hometown of Trenton, New Jersey.

A stunning mural honoring her historic achievements at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been unveiled showcasing the pride and inspiration she brings to her community.

Mu, the youngest U.S. woman to claim an individual Olympic track and field title, secured two gold medals in her debut Games in Tokyo.

She triumphed in the 800m event with a blazing time of 1:55.21, defeating rivals Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain and fellow American Raevyn Rogers.

Sharing her excitement and gratitude for the mural, Mu took to social media, posting glimpses of the artwork and commenting on the artist’s post: "Thanks so much for creating! 🙏🏿"

The mural, a part of the "Breaking Barriers" project, spans an impressive 319 feet wide and 19 feet high.

Seven local artists collaborated on the artwork which adorns the exterior wall of the New Jersey State Prison.

It depicts vivid images of Mu in action, capturing the energy and grace that defined her performances on the world stage.

Born on June 8, 2002, to South Sudanese immigrants Deng Mu and Aluel Lual, Athing Mu has always embraced her identity and heritage.

She began running at the age of six and opted to train with the Trenton Track Club under coach Al Jennings instead of competing for her high school team.

Her gold medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics stands as a defining moment in her career.

“It was so surreal,” Mu has previously said about the experience.

“To win gold at my first Games and represent Trenton and the U.S. like that—it’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

The mural honoring her achievements not only celebrates her athletic feats but also serves as an inspiration for the younger generation in her community.

Athing Mu’s career, however, has not been without challenges.

After her stunning Olympic debut, she faced setbacks, including a fall during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials final while bidding for a second consecutive gold medal in the 800m.

Despite battling hamstring issues and recovering from the fall Mu has shown resilience continuing to strive for greatness in the sport.