2022 year in review: Dunia Sibomana
2022 started with the heartwarming 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 his adoption 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 final of the 2022 NYSPHSAA wrestling championships on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana at home with his newly adoptive mother Marissa Rodriguez on Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana wrestles against James Sievers of Georgia during his seventh match at the 33rd Annual High School Nationals at the Virginia Beach Sports Center on Virginia Beach, Va., on Sunday March 27, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/William Perlman
Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana hugs his dad Miguel Rodriguez after winning the state championship at 102 pounds in Division I during the 2022 NYSPHSAA wrestling championships on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana with his coach Ray Adams during wrestling practice at Calhoun on Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana, third from right, eats dinner with his teammates in 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., on Sunday March 27, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach's Dunia Sibomana wrestles Fulton's Freddy Pagan in 102 pounds in the preliminaries of the 2022 NYSPHSAA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, at the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y.
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 Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana poses with his medals and a Congolese flag on Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: /Johnny Milano
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana embraces head coach Ray Adams as he is honored on March, 9 2022, after winning the state 102-pound wrestling championship in Albany.
Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Beach's Dunia Sibomana wrestles Mason Mangialino of Comsewogue in 102 pounds in the quarterfinals of the 2022 NYSPHSAA wrestling championships on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, at the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y.
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 his Nassau championship medal on Feb. 17, 2022.
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana (white shirt) grapples with Uniondale's Angel Banegas (green shirt) during practice at Calhoun on Feb. 17, 2022.
