Boxer Cindy Ngamba said she is “just human like any other refugee” after making history by ensuring the Refugee Olympic Team their first medal.
The 25-year-old defeated France’s Davina Michel on Sunday to reach the women’s 75kg semi-finals at Paris 2024. Both semi-final losers get bronze medals, so Ngamba is guaranteed a medal.
Ngamba, originally from Cameroon, moved to the UK at 10 but cannot compete for Team GB due to not having a British passport.
“It means the world to me to be the first refugee to win a medal,” Ngamba said. “I’m just human, like any other refugee and athlete around the world.”
The Refugee Olympic Team first participated in Rio 2016. Their previous best results were two fifth-place finishes in Tokyo by Hamoon Derafshipour in karate and Kimia Alizadeh in taekwondo.
Ngamba, the team’s flagbearer at the Paris opening ceremony, will face Atheyna Bylon of Panama on Thursday.
“I will get the job done next time,” she added confidently.
Ngamba cannot return to Cameroon because of her sexuality, as homosexuality is punishable by up to five years in prison there. After 15 years in England, she is still fighting for a visa and UK citizenship.
Five years ago, she nearly got deported after being arrested during a routine check-in with authorities. She and her brother Kennet were detained in London but released the next day.
Before Paris 2024, GB Boxing tried to get her citizenship to join their Olympic team but was unsuccessful. Ngamba received a scholarship from the IOC refugee team and is the first female boxer to represent the team at the Games.
This summary, with a unique perspective, credits the BBC as the source.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cqqll47dvdyo