DPA
Paris
Boxer Cindy Ngamba has become the first-ever athlete from an Olympic refugee team to clinch a medal.
Cameroon-born Ngamba defeated Davina Michel of France in a unanimous points decision in the 75 kilogram quarter-finals on Sunday to be assured of at least bronze.
She will reach the gold medal bout if she beats Atheyna Bylon of Panama in the semi-finals on Thursday. Both losing semi-finalists get bronze in boxing.
“It means the world to me to be the first refugee team member to win a medal. I’m just human, like any other refugee. There are refugees all around the world,” Ngamba said.
“I want to say to all the refugees all around the world and refugees that are not athletes and mainly humans around the world that you have to keep on working hard, keep on believing in yourself. You can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”
The Olympic refugee team was introduced at the Rio 2016 Games, and Ngamba was a flag bearer for the 37-strong team in Paris at the opening ceremony.
Ngamba, 25, came to Britain at the age of 11 together with her brother to live with their father. She is a triple British champion but competing for the refugee team in Paris because she doesn’t have British citizenship.
“Team GB have always been in my corner. I feel I am a part of Team GB - but paper wise, I am not,” she told The Independent last year.
She was granted refugee status a few years ago after previously coming out as gay. She can not be sent back to Cameroon because she could face imprisonment as homosexuality is illegal in the African country.
Ngamba made it to the Paris Games by winning a qualifying tournament in Italy earlier in the year. She is funded by the Olympic Solidarity programme but would be eligible for British funding if she gains citizenship.
“When I was living in Cameroon, I was very much an extrovert child.
But when I came to England, I became an introverted child. I think it was mainly because of the language barrier. English wasn’t my first language, French was,” she said.
“I had to adapt to life in general. Boxing has been hard. But now the refugees team have welcomed me with open arms. I was able to challenge any obstacles.
“I’m happy that I was able to get a medal. I just want to thank GB boxing, my coaches Dave, Lee, Gary, Graham and the Refugee Olympic Team for being by my side, my family and God for all the hard work that I have done.”
