Long Beach wrester Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez becomes Nassau's third five-time Division I champ
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez of Long Beach does his celebratory flip after his victory at the Nassau Division I championships at the David Mack Arena of Hofstra on Sunday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez usually saves the backflip for state titles. But the Long Beach senior decided his fifth and final Nassau Division I championship deserved a little extra flare.
After all, he had just etched his name into the Nassau wrestling history books.
After locking up a 1-0 decision over top-seeded Will Russell of Manhasset for the 118-pound title, Sibomana-Rodriguez dismounted off one foot into a backflip and stuck the landing Sunday afternoon at Hofstra University.
The UNC commit became just the third wrestler to win five Nassau Division I titles, joining Long Beach’s Jacori Teemer and Syosset’s Vito Arujau, both of whom were NCAA Division I All-Americans. Arujau won two NCAA titles and added a World Championship gold medal in 2023.
“It means a lot to be a part of that group,” Sibomana-Rodriguez said. “It’s such a small percentage. We’re the only ones who were able to do it. After today, this is behind us. I’m still stepping forward and getting ready for that next level of wrestling. I’m hoping to follow in their footsteps and become one of the best guys out there.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez’ escape early in the second period was the only score of the match. Later in the period, Russell shot in on Sibomana-Rodriguez’ right leg, looking for a takedown. Russell dropped Sibomana-Rodriguez on his stomach with a chance to earn his three points, but the two-time state champion quickly bounced up off the mat, maintaining neutral position to hold his one-point lead.
“I know Will really well. He’s a great opponent,” Sibomana-Rodriguez said. “I just wanted to keep the match close.”
When Sibomana-Rodriguez was 6 years old, he survived an attack by a troop of chimpanzees while playing with family outside his village near the Virunga National Park in the Congo. While the other two boys were killed, Sibomana-Rodriguez survived with traumatic injuries to his lips, face and right ear.
After his backflip on Sunday, Sibomana-Rodriguez took a moment to wave to the crowd and clap as a sign of respect for the support the Nassau wrestling community has shown him over the last five years.
“It was my way of saying, ‘Thank you,’” Sibomana-Rodriguez said. “I have such a great wrestling community. It’s like a big, big family. They’re always there for me.”
Martin’s Moment
Mepham senior Jason Martin finally had his moment. Martin defeated defending champion Josh Kama of Farmingdale by a 10-4 decision for the 190-pound title.
Martin was pinned by Kama in last year’s semifinals.
“The whole year, I was training for that specific match,” Martin said. “I knew if I had to wrestle him at some point, he would give me my toughest match and I would have to let it all out. It happened to be today and I’m very grateful.”
Martin was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. After his win, he shared a long, emotional hug with his father, James.
“That was five years of emotion built up,” Martin said. “My dad wrestled when he was in high school and he’s seen me work hard. I think he gets a lot more nervous for matches than I do.”
Mikedis ends Cougars’ drought
For the first time since 2013, Bellmore JFK has a county champion. His name is Peter Mikedis.
The sophomore pinned Manhasset’s Henry Jervis in 4:36 for the 165-pound title. Mikedis earned two technical falls in Saturday’s early rounds and two pins on Sunday to claim the title.
“We needed someone to end this drought. It was a long 13 years,” Mikedis said. “Many people came close, but it feels good to end it.”
Massapequa’s dominance continues
Already with the Nassau and state Division I dual meet titles under its belt, Massapequa won Sunday’s team competition with 242.5 points. Manhasset took second with 172 points.
Jon Tutku (110), Jake Nieto (138), Kai Tiringer (150), Joseph Brooks (157) and James Mulhern (285) each claimed a title.
Tutku defeated Long Beach’s Ethan Andreula by 1-0 decision for his second straight title. Andreula won a 10-5 decision over Tutku in the semifinals of the Eastern States Classic in January.
“I remember the car ride home from Eastern States, I was so upset,” Tutku said. “In my mind I was like, ‘I need to get that one back at counties.’”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
