Wrestling Star's Resilience Inspires Yankees After Chimp Attack

WHO:

NY Post - Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, Aaron Judge, David Bednar, Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe, Preston Claiborne, Dr. Leon Klempner, Miguel and Marissa Rodriguez

MLB.com - Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, Aaron Judge, Dr. Leon Klempner

WHAT:

NY Post - The New York Yankees honored Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez during their HOPE Week event.

MLB.com - Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez is a survivor of a childhood chimpanzee attack and has undergone more than a dozen surgeries.

MLB.com - The Yankees presented a $20,000 donation to the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids.

MLB.com - Dunia is a three-time New York State champion, capturing the 123-pound title in March.

WHERE:

NY Post - The event took place at Yankee Stadium in the Delta SKY360° Suite.

MLB.com - Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and currently resides in Long Island, New York.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Dunia became a permanent U.S. resident on October 19, 2019.

MLB.com - Dunia was adopted by Miguel and Marissa Rodriguez a little more than a year after becoming a permanent resident.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Yankees' HOPE Week aims to celebrate individuals who have overcome adversity and to support charitable causes.

HOW:

MLB.com - Dunia was surprised with a celebration at Yankee Stadium, where he was greeted by friends, family, and Yankees players.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 08:49 UTC)

The New York Yankees honored Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez during their HOPE Week event at Yankee Stadium, celebrating his remarkable journey as a survivor of a childhood chimpanzee attack. During the event, the Yankees presented a $20,000 donation to the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids, while Dunia, a three-time New York State champion, was surrounded by friends, family, and players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now residing in Long Island, New York, Dunia became a permanent U.S. resident on October 19, 2019, and was adopted by Miguel and Marissa Rodriguez shortly thereafter.