Arno Yafunga Botay, a 15-year-old judoka who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family, will compete for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Dakar 2026 Youth Games. The family settled in Nairobi after escaping violence that claimed the life of his infant sibling. Arno began training under his father, Arnold, a former judo practitioner, and earned his spot through trials in East Africa. "I didn't expect to be selected," he said, visibly moved.
This marks the first time a refugee team appears at the Youth Olympics. The six-member team, mentored by marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, will compete in Senegal—the first Olympic event hosted in Africa. Arnold, who survived an attack on his family in 2017, calls the team a message of hope: "Being a refugee does not mean your life is over." Judo has transformed the family's life, instilling discipline and resilience.
Arno's success has shifted community perceptions, inspiring parents to enroll their children in the sport. His coach, Lawrence Karisa Nyundo, calls the achievement "big" for their Nairobi dojo. Arno aims to win gold and later teach judo in the Kakuma refugee camp, where he once lived.
Competition runs from November 1–3.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing