2022 year in review: Dunia Sibomana
The year 2022 began with the exciting story of a young athlete and his courageous battle for survival and ultimately a legendary run to the state wrestling title. Meet 14-year-old wrestler Dunia Sibomana, who is now officially Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, after being adopted by Miguel and Marissa Rodriguez of Long Beach.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana celebrates after defeating Chenango Forks’ Ryan Ferrara at 102 pounds in the Division I finals of the 2022 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana at home with his newly adopted mother Marissa Rodriguez on February 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana wrestles against Georgia’s James Sievers during his seventh match at the 33rd annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/William Perlman
Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana hugs his father Miguel Rodriguez after winning the 102-pound Division I state championship during the 2022 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana with his coach Ray Adams during wrestling practice in Calhoun on Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana, third from right, eats dinner with his teammates between matches at the 33rd annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on Sunday , March 26, 2022.
Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana before his matches at the 33rd Annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana wrestles Fulton’s Freddy Pagani at 102 pounds in the prelims of the 2022 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships on Friday, February 25, 2022, at MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana takes a selfie with teammates before his matches at the 33rd annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on March 27, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana at home with his little sister Stella Renee Rodriguez on February 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana poses with his medals and a Congolese flag on February 17, 2022.
Credit: /Johnny Milano
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana hugs coach Ray Adams as she is honored March 9, 2022, after winning the 102-pound state wrestling championship in Albany.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Dunia Sibomana of Long Beach wrestles Mason Mangialino of Comsewogue at 102 pounds in the quarterfinals of the 2022 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships on Friday, February 25, 2022, at MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana works out in his hotel gym as he prepares for his matches at the 33rd annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on March 26, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana shows off his Nassau Championship medal on February 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana (white shirt) wrestles Uniondale’s Angel Banegas (green shirt) during training in Calhoun on Feb. 17, 2022.
