In a groundbreaking achievement, 25-year-old Cindy Ngamba from Cameroon made history on Sunday by becoming the first athlete competing as a refugee to win an Olympic medal. Her victory at the Paris Games has given new hope to the Refugee Olympic Team, established to highlight the global plight of refugees.
Ngamba’s historic win came after a fierce bout against French boxer Davina Michel in the quarter-finals of the 75-kilogram category, held in front of a passionate home crowd. The intense match saw Ngamba advance to the semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal for her and her team.
Read: Cape Verde Boxer David De Pina Secure Historic Olympic Medal
Visibly ecstatic, Ngamba celebrated her victory with exuberant cheers and fist pumps. “It means a lot to me to be the first refugee to win a medal,” she told reporters. “I want to say to all refugees around the world: keep working hard, keep believing in yourself.”
The Refugee Olympic Team, comprising 37 athletes, is the largest since its inception before the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. The International Olympic Committee created the team to enable displaced and migrant athletes to compete in the Olympics without the backing of national federations.
Ngamba, who carried the flag for her team, reflected on her journey. She described the challenges she faced upon settling in the UK, transitioning from a bubbly child in Cameroon to an introverted newcomer grappling with a new language and culture. Boxing became her sanctuary. “I had my family and my team by my side every day,” she shared. “The refugee team welcomed me with open arms.”
In her earlier matches, Ngamba defeated former Canadian world champion Tammara Thibeault. In Sunday’s fight against Michel, she adopted an aggressive strategy, skillfully dodging her opponent’s punches despite the overwhelming cheers for Michel from the French fans and the occasional boos directed at her.
Ngamba’s next challenge is Panamanian boxer Atheyna Bylon, who has secured Panama’s fourth Olympic medal. The semifinals on Friday night will be another test of Ngamba’s mettle and a chance to further her remarkable journey.
Cindy Ngamba’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and the unifying spirit of the Olympic Games, inspiring refugees and athletes worldwide.
