The Mayor of Bolton was among the scores of people gathered at a gym to watch Bolton’s Cindy Ngamba make history.

Refugee Olympic team boxer Cindy, who sought sanctuary in Bolton after fleeing her homeland, claimed a bronze medal after being beaten by Panama’s Atheyna Bylon in the women’s 75kg semi-final.

But she earned the Refugee Olympic Team’s first ever medal at a Games.

Cindy trained at Elite Gym in Halliwell, which was packed yesterday (Thursday) night as the fight was screened.

Bolton Mayor Cllr Andy Morgan said: “We joined everyone at the Elite Boxing Gym to cheer on Cindy. 

“This journey hasn't been easy. It’s been filled with sweat, sacrifice, and an unyielding dedication that has inspired us all.

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“It’s a testament to Cindy's skill, heart, and relentless pursuit of excellence and that’s why she is the first ever athlete to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. 

“You’ve shown us what it means to push beyond limits, to rise above challenges, and to embody the true spirit of the Olympic Games. 

“We believed in you, we cheered for you, and you made us immensely proud.

“Congratulations on your extraordinary achievement from everyone in Bolton. “

Cindy  was born in Cameroon and moved to the UK at the age of 11, but has faced challenges obtaining citizenship since and was at one point sent to a detention camp with her brother, Kennet, due to a paperwork issue.

She feared deportation back to Cameroon, where a return would be unsafe due to her sexuality as homosexuality is illegal there.

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The 25-year-old, of Bolton, first started boxing at Bolton Lads and Girls Club (BLGC) when she was around 14 years old.

The club sent her a message ahead of her match to “smash it, girl”.

Jackie Robinson, director of finance at BLGC, told the PA news agency how the club secured funding for Ngamba so she could get one-to-one sessions, buy training equipment and travel for boxing.

“She came as a refugee and we saw potential and she enjoyed it and like I say we accessed this fund for her to help her on her way,” Ms Robinson said.

Of seeing Ngamba become an Olympic athlete, she said: “It makes me immensely proud and the whole organisation immensely proud that we were able to be the start of what has become a brilliant career for her.

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“It’s absolutely amazing and everybody at the club is following her progress. It’s just absolutely amazing that we were there at the start.”

Cindy was a flagbearer for the team at the opening ceremony.

Cindy attended Bolton College and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Crime and Criminal Justice from the University of Bolton last year.