Yumi
Active member
The story of Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba is one of resilience. Living up to her middle name, she became the first-ever athlete to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Team, claiming bronze in the women’s boxing 75kg class at the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Born in Cameroon, Ngamba faced many challenges growing up. At the age of 11, she moved to the United Kingdom in search of a better future. After arriving, she struggled to gain citizenship and was sent to a detention camp over paperwork issues.
Around the age of 15, she discovered her passion for boxing. “Every day is a learning day in boxing. You have your ups and downs, just like in life in general,” Ngamba told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies.
Boxing would not only help her mentally but also provide a vital anchor in her new reality. “Every time I’m boxing, I think about the moments where I felt helpless. All I’ve got to do is just get in the ring and trade punches with my opponent. That [was never] as hard as when I was going through my [immigration] paper situation and being in a detention camp.
“Boxing helped me and my mental health. I was able to meet new people, learn about myself a lot and travel around the world,” Ngamba added.
She quickly rose through the ranks and started to win national titles. Now, aged 25, she trains and fights with the Great Britain boxing team but, despite repeated attempts, has not been able to win her fight for British citizenship yet. Ngamba was granted refugee status on the basis of her sexuality, as same sex activity is illegal in Cameroon.
Born in Cameroon, Ngamba faced many challenges growing up. At the age of 11, she moved to the United Kingdom in search of a better future. After arriving, she struggled to gain citizenship and was sent to a detention camp over paperwork issues.
Around the age of 15, she discovered her passion for boxing. “Every day is a learning day in boxing. You have your ups and downs, just like in life in general,” Ngamba told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies.
Boxing would not only help her mentally but also provide a vital anchor in her new reality. “Every time I’m boxing, I think about the moments where I felt helpless. All I’ve got to do is just get in the ring and trade punches with my opponent. That [was never] as hard as when I was going through my [immigration] paper situation and being in a detention camp.
“Boxing helped me and my mental health. I was able to meet new people, learn about myself a lot and travel around the world,” Ngamba added.
She quickly rose through the ranks and started to win national titles. Now, aged 25, she trains and fights with the Great Britain boxing team but, despite repeated attempts, has not been able to win her fight for British citizenship yet. Ngamba was granted refugee status on the basis of her sexuality, as same sex activity is illegal in Cameroon.
