In 2013, she qualified for the World Judo Championships held in Brazil. However, she never competed in the competition, leaving to find help, eventually seeking asylum and remaining in the country. In Brazil she started training at the Instituto Reação, a judo school founded by Olympic bronze medallist Flávio Canto and now trains under coach Geraldo Bernardes in Rio de Janeiro. Before joining Reação in 2015, Mabika even slept on the street, and worked as a sweeper and at a textile mill. She received support and funding from the IOC's Olympic Solidarity programme.