Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak secured the gold medal in the men’s 80kg boxing division at Stade Roland-Garros on Wednesday, August 7. He won the final with a close 3-2 split decision.
Khyzhniak impressed both the audience and judges with his aggressive style, keeping Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbay on the defensive throughout the match.
“I’m ecstatic,” Khyzhniak said. “Since I was a boy, I dreamed of standing on this podium.”
Khyzhniak’s relentless attacks were a constant challenge for Oralbay. From the start of the first round, Khyzhniak threw a variety of punches, including body shots, uppercuts, and jabs, pressing the action and testing Oralbay’s defenses.
Despite being under pressure, Oralbay responded with his own powerful counters and managed to stay in the fight. The bout was dynamic, with the crowd cheering loudly as each boxer landed significant blows. The judges were divided after the first two rounds, awarding one round to each fighter.
In the third round, Khyzhniak’s persistent offense began to take a toll on Oralbay. His uppercuts and body shots found their mark more frequently, ultimately breaking Oralbay’s defense.
Oralbay fought valiantly until the end, despite a nosebleed, but Khyzhniak’s performance was clearly superior. When the final bell rang, Khyzhniak fell to his knees in disbelief, celebrating his significant achievement.
“From winning silver in Tokyo to now, I have worked so hard,” Khyzhniak said. “But I’ve done it. It’s a gold medal for Ukraine.”
Khyzhniak’s victory in Paris 2024 marks a redemption after his silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Oralbay took the silver medal, while Cristian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic and Arlen Lopez Cardona of Cuba earned bronze medals after losing their semifinal bouts.
Men’s 80kg Boxing Podium:
Gold: Oleksandr Khyzhniak, Ukraine
Silver: Nurbek Oralbay, Kazakhstan
Bronze: Cristian Javier Pinales, Dominican Republic and Arlen Lopez Cardona, Cuba
