SEINE-SAINT-DENIS, France — After eight years of waiting, the Refugee Olympic Team will win their first medal at an Olympic Games this week.
A portion of the team watched on and jumped with joy as boxer Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba fought in her women’s 75kg quarterfinal, which she won against Davina Michel of France via unanimous decision, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal.
Djankeu Ngamba is now fighting to improve the color of the medal. Should she win her semifinal, she would guarantee at least a silver and stand one victory away from winning gold.
“I hope I can change the medal in my next fight,” Djankeu Ngamba said. “It means the world to me.”
She next faces either Atheyna Bylon of Panama or Poland’s Elzbieta Wojcik.
Djankeu Ngamba was dealt a tough draw, needing to overcome No. 3 seed Tammara Thibeault of Canada in the first round. When she came through that, via a split decision, she was set to face No. 6 seed Michel. However, she dominated each round and came away with a comfortable victory.
“I want to say to all the refugee around the world … keep on believing in yourself, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to,” Djankeu Ngamba said.
Djankeu Ngamba, a lesbian, lives in Bolton, England and is unable to return to Cameroon, where homosexuality remains a crime.
Source: www.espn.com