Rio 2016: Refugee Popole Misenga reaches 90kg judo last-16 but medal hopes ended after defeat

Misenga suffered defeat by Gwak Dong-han of South Korea in the last-16

Popole Misenga reacts after beating Avtar Singh of India in the men's 90kg judo competition (Getty)

Team Refugee’s Popole Misenga reached the last-16 of the men’s 90kg judo competition, raising hopes that the 10-athlete team could end the Rio Olympic Games with a medal.

The International Olympic Committee granted the inclusion of a refugee team at ths summer’s Games following the refugee crisis that has made global news over the last year and beyond. With millions fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia, the IOC attempted to try and help shine a spotlight on the worldwide refugee crisis, with a number of the athletes’ stories capturing the adoration of those watching the Olympics.

One of those athletes is Misenga, he fled Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo when it was heavily affected by the civil war between 1998 and 2003.

With 18-year-old swimmer Yusra Mardini winning her swimming heat and Rami Anis doing likewise, the Refugee team have garnered a fair share of attention, although they look unlikely to have any impact on where the medals are handed out.

Unfortunately, that didn't change with Misenga. He upset the odds to defeat India’s Avtar Singh and put himself into the round of 16, but suffered a defeat by Gwak Dong-han of South Korea.

Speaking before the Games, Misenga said: I wondered sometimes how to live when so many people were dying.

"I have seen too much war, too much death. I do not want to get into that. I want to stay clean so I can do my sport."