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New York high school state wrestling champion Dunia Sibomana made headlines on Wednesday when he announced his commitment to the University of North Carolina. But Sibomana, a junior, who has finished in the top three in all three previous trips to the state tournament, is more than just your average high school wrestler.
Sibomana is a native of the Congo who moved to the United States in 2015 at the age of 8 after a horrifying incident. He and his brother and cousin were attacked by chimpanzees while playing in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sibomana was the only one of the three to survive the attack, but he suffered life-threatening injuries.
Sibomana suffered severe facial injuries. His right ear and facial muscles had suffered significant injuries, and the middle finger of his left hand was bitten off.
Rangers from the national park were able to connect to doctors at Stony Brook University in New York. Sibomana was flown to the United States and underwent multiple extensive surgeries. His initial surgery lasted 12 hours and involved grafting tissue and muscle from his left forearm to his face and lips. As of 2023, Sibomana had undergone 15 surgeries. He will require more as he continues to grow.
Dunia Sibomana Hasn’t Let His Injuries And Tragic Past Slow Him Down
Sibomana began life in the United States with a pair of host families. But he was later taken in by Long Beach High School assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez. Rodriguez and his wife Marissa then officially adopted Sibomana.
Sibomana began wrestling wrestling shortly after moving in with the Rodriguez family, and his ability was immediately evident.
He not only qualified for the New York state tournament as an eighth grader, but won the 102-pound weight class. Sibomania couldn’t replicate the feat as a freshman and sophomore, finishing third and second respectively.
But he announced himself on the national stage this summer when he won the coveted Junior National Championships at 113 pounds in Fargo, North Dakota. He’s currently ranked No. 14 in the country at 113 pounds by MatScouts.
Sibomana announced his commitment to UNC on Wednesday. The Tar Heels are led by UNC alum and former Cornell coach Rob Koll, who won an NCAA Wrestling championship in 1988 as a competitor at the 158-pound weight class. Koll has coached 10 different NCAA wrestling champions as a head coach. Sibomania is expected to compete at the 125-pound weight class when he steps on campus at Chapell Hill.