Cindy Ngamba, a boxer based in Britain, has secured an Olympic medal, potentially marking the first for the IOC’s refugee team, following a decisive victory over France’s Davina Michel in the 75kg quarter-finals.
Ngamba, who was raised in England and has claimed national titles, is considered “part of the family” by GB’s performance director, Rob McCracken. However, she has not been able to compete for Great Britain in these Games due to her citizenship status. Instead, she is representing the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team and proudly carried their flag during the opening ceremony.
After a closely fought first round, Ngamba took charge in rounds two and three, earning a unanimous 5-0 points decision and advancing to the semi-finals, where she is assured at least a bronze medal. She will compete against Panama’s Atheyna Bylon on Thursday.
“For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to be the first refugee to win a medal,” Ngamba expressed. “I’m just a human, just like any other refugee, athlete, and refugee across the globe. But I aspire to change the color of the medal in my next fight.
“Today, I battled a very challenging opponent. Many people were not rooting for me. But I focused on my team, my coaches, and my own instincts. I adhered to the strategy and maintained my composure. I’m pleased to have accomplished the task. I hope to do the same in the next one. Actually, I will do it.”
In May, Ngamba became the first refugee athlete to qualify for the Olympic boxing tournament, and the first in any sport to secure a spot in the Games through qualification rather than selection, after winning a tournament held in Italy.
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At 25 years of age, Ngamba was born in Cameroon but relocated to England in 2009. She cannot return to Cameroon due to her sexual orientation, which is still criminalized there. GB Boxing has backed her application for citizenship to the Home Office, but to no avail.
