Arno Yafunga Botay, a 15-year-old judoka, prepares to represent the Refugee Olympic Team in the under-55kg category at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Having fled the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family due to threats against his father, Arno's journey began in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya before settling in Nairobi.

His passion for judo ignited after watching his father, Arnold, practice the sport. "I didn't expect to be selected," Arno shared with BBC Sport Africa, expressing his joy at being chosen for the team, which marks the first appearance of refugees at a Youth Olympic event.

Arno emphasized the significance of his participation:

It [means] a lot to me to represent other refugees, represent my community.

The family's harrowing past includes Arnold's detention and a tragic attack that claimed the life of a sibling. Arnold reflects, "Being a refugee does not mean your life is over. Refugees can also do things that surprise people."

The Refugee Olympic Team, first introduced at the Rio 2016 Olympics, aims to inspire hope among displaced individuals. The six-member team, mentored by two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, looks forward to making history at the first Olympic event held on African soil.

Arno commits to bringing home a gold medal, saying, "I promised him I'll bring the gold medal [back] so he can see [what] I achieved." His story is a testament to resilience and determination amidst adversity.