“I’m just a human, just like any other refugee, athlete, all around the world”
BY BETHIA WYBORN, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@CINDYNGAMBA)
The middleweight boxer, Cindy Ngamba, has released an emotional statement after winning a bronze medal on 8 August.
She was denied the chance of a silver or gold after losing to Panama’s Atheyna Bylon on a split decision in her semi-final.
“It means the world to me, to be the first ever refugee to win a medal. I’m just a human, just like any other refugee, athlete, all around the world,” Ngamba said after beating Davina Michel of France in the quarter-final.
Ngamba moved to the UK aged 10 and is unable to return to the country of her birth, Cameroon, because of her sexuality as homosexuality is punishable with up to five years in prison.
Five years ago she was arrested, along with her brother Kennet, and sent from Manchester to a detention camp in London and at risk of being deported until being released a day later.
She lives in Bolton, where she took up boxing aged 15, and has since graduated from Bolton University with a degree in criminology.
The refugee team was introduced in 2016 for the Rio Olympics but hadn’t scored a medal until Ngamba’s triumph in Paris.
“I want to say to all the refugees all around the world and refugees [who] are not athletes, and humans around the world, you have to keep on working hard, keep on believing in yourself,”
“You can achieve whatever you put your mind to,” Ngamba said.
The 25-year-old is yet to gain British citizenship, which prevented her from being part of Team GB in the 2024 Olympics, held in Paris.
GB Boxing’s performance director, Rob McCracken, described her as “part of the family” despite not qualifying to represent Team GB.
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