Long Beach Wrestler Takes State Title; Inspires With Life Story

LONG BEACH, NY — Dunia Sibomana became a New York State wrestling champion earlier this month, and his life story is inspiring people across Long Island and beyond. The eighth-grader from Long Beach won the 102-pound Division I Championship title in Albany on Feb. 13, eight years after narrowly surviving a traumatic animal attack in his native Congo.

Sibomana was attacked by wild chimpanzees at age six while playing near a park, and survived with severe facial injuries. His brother and cousin were killed in the incident. Since emigrating to the U.S., he has undergone several surgeries funded by Smile Rescue Fund for Kids to try to restore speech and swallowing function.

The LI Herald talked to Sibomana's adoptive father, Miguel Rodriguez, who is also the Long Beach Middle School wrestling coach.

“It’s just pure happiness and excitement,” he said.

“He deserves it."

Right after the match in which third-seed Sibomana defeated the top seed, Ryan Ferrara from Chenango Forks, in one minute, 32 seconds, he told the New York State Public High School Athletic Association that he had been "working hard."

Smile Rescue Fund for Kids shared a proud message on social media:

"Dunia Sibomana could never be down for the count! This young man has overcome so many challenges over the years and we are so proud of the champion he has become today."

The nonprofit called the middle schooler "the epitome of a champion, the king of perseverance."

The nonprofit's website tells the story of Sibomana's rescue as a young boy and his move to Long Island for medical care:

"Dunia is a young boy who lives in The Republic of the Congo. He was attacked by a chimpanzee and though he miraculously survived, his face was left extremely disfigured. He lost both his upper and lower lips and has extensive scarring along the right side of his face. This has left him with oral incompetence (inability to close his mouth) making it extremely difficult for him to eat or drink. At present he is seriously malnourished, weighing only 42 pounds."

"He was found by local rangers and referred to Smile Rescue Fund for Kids for help. We plan on bringing him to Stony Brook University Hospital for the necessary reconstructive plastic surgery.
We are currently in fundraising/help-raising mode, looking for help with fund raising, temporary housing on Long Island, help with transportation to medical visits, clothing donations and tax deductible cash donations."

Sibomana was orphaned at a young age, and was officially adopted by Miguel and Marissa Rodriguez of Long Beach earlier this month, Newsday reported. He recently became a big brother to a baby sister named Stella.