Yannick Maseke is a champion boxer who came to Ireland from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeking asylum.
While in direct provision accommodation in Athlone, he began training at the local gym. Now, he has set his sights on a professional career in boxing.
In the sports field at Athlone Institute of Technology, a promising young athlete who came to Ireland when his life was under threat is making a name for himself as a national sports star.
Yannick began boxing in his home country of DRC and had already built a promising career when tragedy struck.
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His brother was shot and killed, caught up in the crossfire at a large protest during civil unrest.
Yannick said: "For me it was the end of my life, because he was the one who was helping us.
"We had decided to go to the protest, and I was arrested at the protest. I was three days in the jail."
With a death threat on his own head, Yannick fled the DRC and came to Ireland to build a new, safer life.
His new home was the direct provision centre in Athlone, often criticised for its conditions.
His devotion to boxing has helped him build a better life here. He has won championship titles at both Leinster and Connacht level and his eyes are firmly set on a professional career.
"I'm training every day ... my dream is to one day to be champion of the world".
Coach Tor Duffy at Tornado Fitness in Athlone has said Yannick is destined for even greater honours.
"He's weighing in now, fighting at about 63kg. He's very strong for that weight, very very fast for that weight and for such a small guy he's got a very big bang behind him," said Mr Duffy.
"He's a very technical boxer too, he's got a good mindframe for it and he's well able to take a punch as well, which is a big part of it.
"I see big things for him in the future, now he just needs to keep it up and keep consistent."
Yannick's sporting success in DRC and in Ireland has been significant but it has been achieved with the support of a new community group in Athlone.
The New Horizons support group helps refugees and asylum seekers to make a new life for themselves with the objectives of befriending, providing information and celebrating achievements of those who have come to the area.
With his career in boxing flourishing, Yannick has now received his legal papers for asylum and soon he will have an Irish passport.
When asked about possibly returning to see his family in DRC, he said: "Ireland now is my home, one day maybe I can bring them to join me, but not me to go there.
"Because when I go back, straight away they will kill me, that's it."
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