Misenga: A DRC refugee hoping to inspire millions at the Olympics

Representing the Refugee Olympic Team for a second time, Misenga hopes to achieve his dreams in Tokyo.

In 2001, Popole Misenga’s mother was murdered during Democratic Republic of Congo’s civil war. He was nine at the time. After walking alone for a week, he was finally rescued and brought to Kinshasa where he was first introduced to judo. Later this month, Misenga will represent the Refugee Olympic Team for a second time after making his debut in 2016 in Brazil, where he has been living since 2013.