DAKAR — Arno Yafunga made history on Saturday as the first athlete to compete for the Olympic Refugee Team at a Youth Olympic Games, finishing fifth in the men's -55kg judo category after a competitive campaign at the Dakar Expo Center.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yafunga fled with his family as a child and found safety in Kenya, where he trained at Kakuma refugee camp. His introduction to judo came through his father, Arnold, a black belt who remains his coach. Before the Games, Yafunga balanced a demanding routine in Nairobi, running early mornings, attending school during the day and training in the evenings.
At the Dakar Expo Center on November 1, Yafunga began his Youth Olympic Games campaign with a victory over his Tanzanian opponent. He advanced to the bronze medal contest through the repechage, having lost in the quarter-finals to Saudi Arabia's representative.
Mongolia's Tugskhuslen Tungalag stood between Yafunga and a medal in the bronze medal contest. Under pressure immediately in ne-waza, Yafunga escaped an immobilisation and an armlock threat. However, Tungalag's next attack brought a decisive seoi-otoshi for ippon, eliminating Yafunga from medal contention.
Yafunga finished fifth, one win away from the podium. After the competition, Yafunga expressed mixed feelings.
"But I am so proud of myself," he said, acknowledging both his performance and the encouragement of his teammates. "I have competed as an individual, with an entire team behind me."
Yafunga's five Refugee Olympic Team teammates were present at the Dakar Expo Center to support him throughout the competition. Before the Games, Yafunga said he wanted to show that, as refugees, we are capable of achieving great things.
The participation marks a breakthrough for refugee athletes at the Youth Olympic level, with Yafunga joining the Olympic Refugee Team for the first time in the competition's history.
