A Bolton boxer has made Olympic history as the first member of the Refugee Olympic Team to secure a medal.

Cindy Ngamba beat French boxer Davina Michel on points by a unanimous decision to reach the 75kg boxing semi-finals – guaranteeing her a bronze medal.

There are two bronze medallists in boxing, with all semi-finalists guaranteed a medal before a punch has been thrown.

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A bronze medal match used to take place between the two defeated semi-finalists, but this was scrapped in the 1950s – with concerns over injuries and a quick turnaround.

Ngamba is set to fight Panama’s Atheyna Bylon on Thursday, August 8, at the North Paris Arena for a place in the final – with a chance to win a gold medal.

The fight is due to take place at 9.18pm UK time, according to the official Olympics schedule.

After the fight, Ngamba said: “This means the world to me. I hope I can change the colour of my medal in the next fight.

“I want to tell the refugees around the world, keep on working hard, keep on pushing yourself and you can accomplish anything.”

Ahead of her match, members of the Elite Gym Halliwell – where Cindy has trained – wished her luck.

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Ngamba beat Canada’s Tammara Thibeault in a 3-2 split decision on Wednesday, July 31, to make it to the last eight in the competition.

The 25-year-old, who attended Bolton College and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Crime and Criminal Justice from the University of Bolton last year

For the past two years, Cindy has been training with the GB Boxing squad in Sheffield, and had been hoping to represent Great Britain in Paris.

However, as she is not a UK citizen she cannot fight for Team GB – so she is fighting for the Refugee Olympic Team under the Olympic flag – and was even a flagbearer for the team at the opening ceremony.

Cindy fought for her refugee status for years – having previously been sent to a detention camp in London.

She was fearful of a return to Cameroon due to her LGBTQ+ sexuality, as homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon and can be punished with up to five years in prison.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.