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6-Year-Old Barely Survived a Chimpanzee Swarm Attack That Killed His Cousin. Now He's a Teen Wrestling Champion
TL;DR
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, a high school wrestling champion, survived a chimpanzee attack at age 6 that killed his cousin. He has undergone 16 reconstructive surgeries and will attend UNC Chapel Hill on a scholarship.
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez
Credit: Eyewitness News ABC7NY/YouTube
NEED TO KNOW
- Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez won a national high school wrestling title and will attend UNC Chapel Hill on scholarship
- When he was 6 years old, he survived a traumatic chimpanzee attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and underwent 16 reconstructive surgeries
- Adopted by a Long Island family, he excelled in wrestling and academics and hopes to inspire others with his story
A Long Island, N.Y., high school wrestling champion who survived a chimpanzee attack at 6 years old is about to start another chapter in his incredible journey.
In March, Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez won the National High School Coaches Association title at 123 pounds, his latest achievement in a stellar high school wrestling career. The 18-year-old, who announced his plans to go to UNC Chapel Hill in November 2024 on a scholarship, has a story unlike any other wrestler who has stood alongside him on any podium.
āI don't think I would have ever thought I'd be here, coming from my country and ending up being a good wrestler,ā Sibomana-Rodriguez told WABC in an interview published on Wednesday, April 15.
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When Sibomana-Rodriguez was 6 years old and living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he, his cousin and his brother were attacked by a swarm of chimpanzees. His cousin died, while he and his brother were injured. Sibomana-Rodriguez suffered traumatic injuries to his lips, face and right ear, according to the New York Plastic Surgery Group. He also lost a finger in the attack.
Sibomana-Rodriguez was brought to the U.S. at 8 years old and underwent facial reconstruction surgeries at Stony Brook Childrenās Hospital. The procedures were performed at no cost thanks to help from the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids.
āIāve had about 16 surgeries now,ā Sibomana-Rodriguez told the New York Post, which reports that he also speaks softly due to the lasting damage done to his mouth.
Sibomana-Rodriguez, whose birth parents have died, lived with foster families in Brooklyn and Long Island after arriving in the U.S. He only knew Swahili and had never wrestled before.
āIt took a little while to fit in, meet people and get people to like me,ā he told the Post.
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez at the NYSPHSAA Boys Wrestling Championships at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., in March 2025
Credit: John Meore/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sibomana-Rodriguezās life changed when he arrived in Long Beach, N.Y., Long Beach assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez told the Post that he and his son, who is also a wrestler, learned about Sibomana-Rodriguez through Isaiah Bird, a wrestler who was born without legs. Rodriguez, whose family adopted Sibomana-Rodriguez when the teen was in middle school, then introduced him to the family sport.
āEven though I didnāt know much about it, wrestling was just the right one for me,ā Sibomana-Rodriguez told the Post.
Sibomana-Rodriguez has excelled at wrestling. Before picking up a national title in March, he earned five Nassau County titles and three state championships. Heās also excelled at academics and has dreams of working in finance after school, the Post reports. He also coaches youth wrestlers in Long Beach with his dad.
"Life is good. I am very happy," Sibomana-Rodriguez told Newsday in a 2022 profile. "Iāve made so many friends in Long Beach. Iām just a regular guy who wants to be with the guys. I know itās a long road ahead with more surgeries, but I trust my doctors and I know theyāll do whatās best for me."
His high school teammate, Ethan Andrueli, told WABC that Siboamana-Rodriguez has been an inspiration.
āHe always kept like a smile on his face, kept ignoring like the bad stuff, and he always kept working hard and doing the right thing,ā Andrueli said.
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez at the 2026 Eastern States Classic Wrestling Tournament at the Impact Athletic Center in Clifton Park, N.Y., on Jan. 10
Credit: John Meore/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sibomana-Rodriguez hopes his own story will inspire others to never give up on their dreams.
āDonāt let people determine who you are,ā he told WABC. āAnd you should make your own story.ā
Read the original article on People
Q&A
What happened to Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez during the chimpanzee attack?
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez survived a traumatic chimpanzee attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was 6 years old, which resulted in the death of his cousin.
How many surgeries did Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez undergo after the attack?
He underwent 16 reconstructive surgeries following the chimpanzee attack to recover from his injuries.
What achievements has Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez accomplished in wrestling?
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez won a national high school wrestling title and has excelled in academics.
Which college will Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez attend on scholarship?
He will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a scholarship.
