When he was just 6 years old, national champion wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez was mauled by chimpanzees. He suffered lifechanging injuries, but that wasn't the end of his story.
Sibomana-Rodriguez survived the attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is now a University of North Carolina student and national champion wrestler. He recently won the National High School Coaches Association title.
"I was with my family, and they came out of nowhere," he told the New York Post. "Everything happened pretty fast."
The chimpanzees killed his brother and cousin and mauled his face, destroyed his right ear and middle finger, and scarred him for life.
"I've had about 16 surgeries now," Sibomana-Rodriguez told the outlet.
Chimpanzees Attack
After the chimpanzees attacked, Sibomana-Rodriguez ended up on the streets begging for money.
"He was sent out to the street to beg for money, to bring money into his house," said Long Beach assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez, Dunia's adoptive father. "Those are some of the things that he had to do as a child."
But Sibomana-Rodriguez got the chance to change his life when he came to America for reconstructive surgeries. He began living with foster families but knew no English. While in Long Beach, he was adopted by Miguel and later fell in love with wrestling.
"Even though I didn't know much about it, wrestling was just the right one for me," he said. He won five Nassau County titles and three state championships as well.
He has overcome a lot of challenges in his life including learning English. But he's not just brawn, he's also brains.
"He doesn't have a favorite subject; he has favorite teachers who make hard classes his favorite classes .?.?. he's got a teacher who makes him love math," said Miguel. "He made the high honor roll the first and second semester of his senior year."
Sibomana-Rodriguez is trying to be a role model and an inspiration to others.
"I try my best to be a good role model for all of them and do the right thing," he said. "And make sure they're doing the right thing."
