One refugee's journey to the Olympics

After losing his family in Congo's civil war, Popole Misenga found purpose in judo

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Popole Misenga
Popole Misenga near his home in one the favelas, or slums, in Rio.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)Misenga grew up in the eastern part of the DRC, one of the areas worst affected by the devastating 1998-2003 civil war that left more than 5 million dead, including hi)

Misenga practices in Rio. With the help of a charity, Misenga has daily judo classes and cross-training just like Brazilian athletes preparing for the Olympics.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)Misenga became a professional judoka and though the sport helped him find purpose after the war, he was reportedly brutalized and belittled by his coaches while violence)

Misenga's friend stitches a sponsor's badge on his judogi on April 14.
(Image credit: (YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images))

Misenga trains at the Reacao Institute on June 3.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares))

(Image credit: Getty Images)

(YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)

Misenga runs near his home in a Rio slum on June 3.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares))

Misenga and his DRC teammate Yolande Bukasa react during the new conference announcing they had both qualified for the Olympic refugee team.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares))

Misenga and his one-year-old son, Elias, in his home on June 3.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares))

Misenga kisses his partner Fabiana before going to train on April 14.
(Image credit: (YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images))

(Image credit: Getty Images)

(YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.