Thursday, October 1, 2026
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez joined a short list of elite Nassau County High School wrestlers Sunday afternoon at Hofstra University’s Mack Sports Complex, becoming just the third-ever five-time champion.
The Long Beach senior defeated top-seeded Manhasset senior William Russell in the 118-pound Division I title match, 1-0, to secure his fifth county championship in as many seasons. He joins former Marines superstar Jacori Teemer (2018 graduate), a five-time New York State champion and four-time NCAA All-American at Arizona State, and Syosset’s Vito Arujau (2017) as the only ones to accomplish the feat.
“It feels awesome,” said Sibomana-Rodriguez, a University of North Carolina commit who now sets his sights on a third state championship Feb. 27-28 at Albany’s Times Union Center. “It’s an honor to join just a few others who’ve won counties five times,” he added.
Long Beach coach Ray Adams said he was anticipating a low-scoring title bout. The only point was a second-period escape by Sibomana-Rodriguez, who celebrated with a backflip. “Two really tough, strong kids,” Adams said. “I’m so proud of Dunia. That was a history making victory. Sometimes you just have to grind it out and find a way.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez took the fast track to celebrity status in the wrestling community, not only in Long Beach but nationwide with his gripping life story from tragedy to triumph.
In 2014, he was left clinging to life after a group of wild chimpanzees attacked him and two family members as they played near Virunga National Park in the Congo, in his native Central Africa. His brother and cousin were killed, but Dunia, then 6, survived, though he was left with life-altering facial injuries.
Since arriving in the United States 10 years ago he's had nearly 20 surgeries, was adopted by longtime Long Beach wrestling assistant coach and 1999 graduate Miguel Rodriguez, become an honor-roll student and a D-I talent with a full athletic scholarship.
“It’s a very emotional day,” Miguel said. “It was awesome seeing him win a fifth county title. At the same time, I can’t help but think he won’t be wrestling for Long Beach next season.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” he added. “The City of Long Beach has made Dunia his home. So many people deserve credit for the success of this young man. I couldn’t even begin to name everyone who’s helped along the way, but I’m thankful and Dunia is thankful for everything.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez captured state titles as an eighth-grader and a junior, and enters his final state tournament with a career record of 199-17. He’s 42-3 this winter. One win in Albany gets him to the 200-win club, but his goals are much higher.
“It went too fast,” he said of his high school wrestling career. “I’m excited for the next chapter at North Carolina, but I’m sad my time at Long Beach is almost over. I would love to end with a state title.”
The No. 2 seed, Sibomana-Rodriguez allowed just four points in four matches over the weekend. On Saturday, he pinned Calhoun’s Jake Condela in 10 seconds to get started with a bang and followed with a 20-2 tech fall victory over Valley Stream Central’s Emmanuel Alvarado in the quarterfinals.
Then on Sunday morning, Sibomana-Rodriguez defeated Roslyn’s Christian Morris by major decision, 12-2, setting up a meeting in the county finals with Russell for the second time in three years. Dunia topped Russell when they were sophomores in the 108-pound final, 6-3.
“I’ve known Dunia since he arrived in Long Beach,” Marines Athletic Director Arnie Epstein said. “As incredible as he is on the mat, he’s an even better person off it.”
