Primary school pupils were thrilled to be visited by Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba.
Cindy, who competes for the Refugee Olympic Team, became their first ever medallist last summer after winning bronze in the women’s 75 kg boxing.
Originally from Cameroon, she trains with GB Boxing but cannot compete for Great Britain because she doesn’t have a British passport.
Cindy is a house representative for Devonshire Road Primary School and its values.
She spoke to pupils at the Heaton school.
She said: “I’m a Bolton girl – Bolton took me in with open arms and gave me everything.
“When I came to Bolton I was a very shy girl, French was my first language.
“I felt lonely, I felt like I didn’t have anyone.
“But then going to school I was taught English and I was able to make lots of friends, participate in lessons, and be able to communicate with lots of classmates.
“Able to find what I was into and I found that I loved sport.
“I joined the Bolton Lads and Girls Club and I was able to participate in many activities and many sports.
“Through sport I started playing football and I was able to learn I was very good at many sports.
“In the youth club they had a boxing club – there were lots of boys and I was the only girl, but the boys made me feel welcome.”
Now 26, Cindy has been boxing since she was 15, and competed in her first Olympics in Paris 2024.
She also has a degree in Crime and Criminal Justice from the University of Bolton and was keen to teach the children the value of education.
She said: “Education is very important guys, I made sure I had a degree because that was what I wanted since I was a little girl.
“Boxing wasn’t something I wanted to do – I wanted to be a firefighter or a police officer.
“I wanted to have an education so I could prove myself and I learned a lot about life in general.”
Cindy moved to the UK when she was 11 years old though she still remembers her old home fondly.
She said: “Life back in Cameroon was amazing, guys. It was never snowing, raining or cold – it was always warm.
“I used to get the wheel of a car and go to the beach and see how many times it would bounce in the water.
“I used to cook with my mum, life was very simple and I think my mum just wanted the best for me.”
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The diversity of Devonshire Road’s pupils was clear after the majority put their hands up when asked if English was their second language.
She said: “It felt like I was representing everyone around the world.
“I was representing refugees all over the world – some without the little things like houses, or clothes or enough food for their family.”
She talked about the dedication she had to have to compete on an Olympic level, having to train rather than spend time with her family.
Cindy said: “No one could stop me, I was unstoppable. I went out there and showed the world what I’m capable of.
“You never know, you can be an inspiration for anyone, Nicola Adams was an inspiration for me – you guys have inspired me because all of you guys are so awesome.”
Nicola Adams, now retired, won two Olympic gold medals representing Team GB and is one of Cindy's idols.
Cindy said: “She always just looked so good and she always had a smile on her face whether she won or lost.”
She gave the kids watching some advice on achieving their dreams, before showing them her medal.
She said: “You have to believe in yourself, that's the most important thing, no one is going to believe in me more than myself.
“You are the only one who is going to be able to do what you achieve.
“Don’t act like you know it all, no one knows it all. The world is your oyster.
“I didn’t think about anything else – I was working so hard.
“Keep on working hard and the opportunity will come – you have to take it.
“I’ll show you guys my medal – it’s not for me, it’s for all you guys.”
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