History was made on the grand stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics when Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba became the first-ever athlete from the Refugee Olympic Team to win an Olympic medal.
The 25-year-old boxer from Cameroon, Ngamba secured a bronze medal in the women’s 75kg boxing category etching her name into the annals of Olympic history.
Ngamba, who now resides in the UK and trains with the prestigious GB squad, reached the semi-finals after a string of impressive victories, guaranteeing her place on the podium.
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On Sunday, she defeated French contender Davina Michel in a unanimous points decision, propelling her to the semi-finals and securing her historic bronze medal.
«This means the world to me.I hope I can change the color of my medal in the next fight. I want to tell the refugees around the world, keep on working hard, keep on pushing yourself, and you can accomplish anything,» an emotional Ngamba shared after her victory.
Born in Cameroon, she discovered boxing at the age of 15, a sport that quenched her thirst for intensity.
Despite the societal frowns on female boxing, which only became an Olympic sport in 2012, Ngamba pursued her passion with unwavering focus.
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The semi-final bout which took place on Thursday saw Ngamba face off against Panama’s Atheyna Bylon.
In a closely contested fight, Bylon was penalized a point for excessive holding in the final round, giving Ngamba a chance to clinch victory.
One judge awarded Ngamba the win, but the other three, who had initially scored the bout evenly, ultimately sided with Bylon, leading to a 4-1 decision in favor of the Panamanian boxer.
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Despite the defeat, Ngamba’s bronze medal is a historic achievement, marking the first time an athlete from the Refugee Olympic Team has reached the Olympic podium.
Ngamba’s Olympic campaign was filled with moments of brilliance. In her quarter-final match against Canada’s Tammara Thibeault, she secured a hard-fought 3-2 split decision victory.
Then, in her semi-final qualifying bout against Michel, she dominated from the start, winning the first round 10-9 on three of the five scorecards.
Ngamba’s relentless aggression and sharp tactics earned her unanimous victories on all five scorecards in the second round, ensuring her place in the semi-finals.
«I was fighting a very tough opponent today, but I listened to myself,» Ngamba said after her victory over Michel. «I stuck to my tactics, and I got the job done.»
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Ngamba’s success is a source of immense pride not only for herself but also for the Refugee Olympic Team.
After her victory, she held up a board with the team’s name pointing to it and letting the world know the significance of her achievement.
Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba’s name will forever be remembered in Olympic history, not just for her victory in the ring, but for the hope and inspiration she has given to millions of refugees worldwide.