Ukrainian Boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak Secures Gold for Ukraine at 2024 Paris Olympics

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak has secured the gold medal in boxing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris in the 80 kg weight class. In the final match, he defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbai by a split decision.

This marks Khyzhniak’s second Olympic final appearance. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, he won a silver medal after narrowly losing in the final round to Brazil’s Ebert Souza. Khyzhniak returned to the Olympics following a series of international successes, including three gold medals at the European Games and a world championship title.

In the final bout at the 2024 Olympics, Khyzhniak started aggressively, gaining a slight edge in the first round. The situation shifted in the second round when Oralbai scored with several precise punches. The third round proved decisive: Khyzhniak showcased superior activity while Oralbai sustained an injury, which contributed to Khyzhniak’s victory.

On his way to the final, Khyzhniak recorded three wins. In the semifinals, he defeated reigning Olympic champion Arlen Lopez, and in the quarterfinals, he overcame Brazil’s Wanderley Pereira. Khyzhniak won his first bout against Philipp Akilov from Hungary, despite suffering a hand injury before the Olympics.

Khyzhniak’s gold medal contributes to Ukraine’s tally of eight medals at the Paris Games, which includes three gold, two silver, and three bronze.