A 15-year-old judoka originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo has made history at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, becoming the first athlete to compete for the Refugee Olympic Team at the international youth event.
Arno Yafunga was one of six athletes representing refugees at the Games in Senegal. Competing in the men's under-55kg judo category on November 1, he reached the bronze medal contest after winning two bouts but ultimately finished fifth, the Associated Press reported.
Yafunga opened his campaign with a victory over an opponent from Tanzania before losing his quarter-final bout against Saudi Arabia. He then won a repechage contest by ippon to secure a place in the bronze medal match, where he was defeated. The International Judo Federation's report highlighted his achievement as the first appearance by a Refugee Olympic Team athlete at a Youth Olympic Games.
His journey to Dakar began in 2017, when his family fled conflict and insecurity in eastern DR Congo and sought safety in Kenya. Arno was six years old at the time. The family initially settled near the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya before later moving to Nairobi.
His introduction to judo came through his father, Arnold, who resumed training after arriving in Kenya and later became his son's coach. Watching his father practise the sport encouraged Arno to take up judo, which has since become an important part of his life.
The teenager said he wanted to demonstrate that young refugees could achieve great things through sport. He also credited judo with helping him develop confidence both on and off the mat.
The Refugee Olympic Team made its debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar with six athletes based in Kenya and Uganda, competing in athletics, judo and taekwondo. The team was established by the International Olympic Committee and is managed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation, with support from the National Olympic Committees of Kenya and Uganda.
Yafunga's participation was supported through the Refugee Athlete Support programme, which provides young displaced athletes with access to training and international competitions.
His appearance in Dakar represents a milestone for refugee participation in youth sport and offers an example of how sporting opportunities can help young people pursue their ambitions despite displacement and difficult circumstances.
