Teen who survived chimpanzee attack as a child now a wrestling champion, 16 surgeries later
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, an 18-year-old high school wrestling star from Long Island, N.Y., is embarking on a new phase of his extraordinary life. His recent victory, securing the National High School Coaches Association title at 123 pounds in March, is the latest highlight of his exceptional wrestling career.
Sibomana-Rodriguez reflected on his journey to becoming a successful wrestler, telling WABC in an interview published Wednesday, April 15, “I don’t think I would have ever thought I’d be here, coming from my country and ending up being a good wrestler.”
At the age of six, while living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sibomana-Rodriguez, his brother, and his cousin were attacked by a swarm of chimpanzees.
The brutal attack resulted in his cousin’s death and severe injuries to both Sibomana-Rodriguez and his brother. Sibomana-Rodriguez sustained traumatic injuries to his right ear, face, and lips and also lost a finger, according to the New York Plastic Surgery Group.
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At the age of eight, Sibomana-Rodriguez was brought to the U.S. and received free facial reconstruction surgeries at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. These procedures were made possible by the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids.
“I’ve had about 16 surgeries now,” Sibomana-Rodriguez told the New York Post, which reports that he also speaks softly due to the lasting damage done to his mouth.
After arriving in the U.S., Sibomana-Rodriguez lived with foster families in Brooklyn and Long Island. His birth parents had died, and he only spoke Swahili; he also had no experience with wrestling.
“It took a little while to fit in, meet people and get people to like me,” he told the Post.
Sibomana-Rodriguez’s life changed after arriving in Long Beach, N.Y. Long Beach assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez and his son, a fellow wrestler, learned about Sibomana-Rodriguez via Isaiah Bird, a wrestler born without legs, according to the New York Post.
The Rodriguez family adopted Sibomana-Rodriguez in middle school, and the coach introduced him to wrestling, their family sport.
“Even though I didn’t know much about it, wrestling was just the right one for me,” Sibomana-Rodriguez told the Post.
Today, the teen is a talented and successful wrestler, holding a national title from March, five Nassau County titles, and three state championships.
Beyond his athletic achievements, he is an excellent student, as reported by the Post. He also gives back to his community by helping his father coach youth wrestling in Long Beach.
“Life is good. I am very happy,” Sibomana-Rodriguez told Newsday in a 2022 profile. “I’ve made so many friends in Long Beach. I’m just a regular guy who wants to be with the guys. I know it’s a long road ahead with more surgeries, but I trust my doctors, and I know they’ll do what’s best for me.”
Ethan Andrueli, a high school teammate of Siboamana-Rodriguez, told WABC that Siboamana-Rodriguez was an inspiration.
“He 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,” Andrueli remarked.
Sibomana-Rodriguez is hopeful that his personal story will motivate others to chase their dreams without giving up. Beyond his goal of competing in the Olympics someday, Sibomana-Rodriguez also plans to work in finance, potentially on Wall Street, after completing his education.
“Don’t let people determine who you are,” he told WABC. “And you should make your own story.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez announced on Instagram that he will attend UNC-Chapel Hill on a scholarship in the fall of 2026.
