Arno Yafunga Botay was six when his family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo after threats to his father’s life culminated in an attack on their home which claimed the life of his seven-month-old sibling.
Following a spell living in the Kakuma refugee camp in north-west Kenya, the family settled in Nairobi. There, Arno used to watch his father Arnold practising judo and eventually asked him to teach him the sport.
Now, having coming through trials in East Africa, he will compete for the Refugee Olympic Team in the under-55kg category at the Dakar 2026 Youth Games.
“I didn’t expect to be selected,” the 15-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
“I was so excited. I was crying tears of joy.”
This is the first time that a team of refugees will appear at a Youth Games.
“It [means] a lot to me to represent other refugees, represent my community,” Yafunga Botay added.
The family have been in Kenya since they were forced to leave DR Congo in 2017.
“There were people who wanted to kill me,” Arnold said.
“At the time, I was detained somewhere when people came to our house and attacked my family. The situation led to the death of my child.”
After finding safety, Yafunga Botay and his elder brother Christian would watch their father training before he headed out to work as a labourer.
Yafunga Botay began receiving instructions in judo rules and techniques at the age of seven.
However, life in their adopted East African nation provided its own challenges.
“I [did] not have the judogi clothes or transport fees for local competitions,” he explained.
“It’s been difficult going to school. There’s no money for school fees.
