Ukraine won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in boxing. Video

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhnyak has won a difficult victory in the final of the 2024 Olympics. In the 80 kg weight category, the 28-year-old native of Poltava defeated Kazakhstan's Nurbek Oralbay by a split decision (3:2).

At the award ceremony, Oleksandr did not sing the national anthem, but burst into tears standing on the highest step of the podium.

For Ukraine, this was the 5th Olympic gold medal in boxing. After Wladimir Klitschko in 1996, Usyk in 2012, and Lomachenko in 2008 and 2012, Khyzhnyak took the top honor in 2024.

The Ukrainian started the fight in his usual ramming style. Oleksandr almost continuously pierced the opponent's defense. The Kazakh tried to find opportunities for attacks. The Ukrainian won the end of the round. Following the first three minutes, three judges gave Oleksandr the upper hand.

Oralbay began the second three minutes with pushing, trying to simply push the Ukrainian boxer away rather than hitting him. Khyzhnyak showed incredible endurance, working as the number one. In the second half of the round, the representative of Kazakhstan managed to land several dangerous punches, after which Nurbek immediately hid behind the clinch. Before the third round, the score was 2:2.

Realizing this, Poltava Tank tried to increase the pace by breaking his opponent's nose. Predator constantly varied the angles of his attacks: from the body to the head, adding side kicks.

Commenting on his victory, Khyzhnyak said he was infinitely grateful to God.

"I have been living for this medal since the Tokyo Olympics. I am grateful to our military, who defend our peace in my native country. I am grateful to all Ukrainians. It is difficult to compare the fights at the Olympics with other competitions. Perhaps the audience will think that these are different fights. But it is important for me to represent my country at the Olympics. I am proud to bring a gold medal to my country and hometown," said our boxer on Suspilne.Sport.

Oleksandr also answered the question whether he was going to turn to professional boxing.

"I can't say, this award opens certain doors. I want to relax with my family. My main goal was to win gold in Paris. It was the only goal. When I saw the flag of my country being raised... Ukraine is the best country for me. The land, the water - everything is the best in my country. I am grateful to God for playing the anthem of our country. It was hard for me to hold back my tears," added the Ukrainian 2024 Olympic champion.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko congratulated Oleksandr Khyzhnyak on his gold medal.

"We were sick, we believed, we are proud! Oleksandr showed the best boxing qualities: strength, endurance, and determination. 3 years ago in Tokyo, he won a silver medal. At the Olympics in Paris, he won gold. Ukrainians are winners! This is confirmed, among other things, by our athletes," Vitaliy Volodymyrovych wrote on his Telegram channel.

"Another gold medal at the Olympics in Paris for Ukraine! Boxer Oleksandr Khyzhnyak won first place. Thank you for your strength, for your confidence, for this important victory! We continue to support all our athletes," the President of Ukraine said in a congratulatory text on Instagram.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in the semifinals Khyzhnyak defeated two-time Olympic champion from Cuba Arlen Lopez Cardona by split decision (3:2).

Prior to that, in the quarterfinals, Oleksandr defeated Wanderlei de Souza Pereira from Brazil by unanimous decision.

In the 1/8 finals of the 2024 Olympic Games, Khyzhnyak won a difficult victory over Hungary's Filip Akilov (30:26).

On July 1 last year, Khyzhnyak won the 2023 European Games in Poland. In the final of the tournament in the 80 kg weight category, our compatriot defeated the Croatian Gabriel Veocic by knockout.

As a reminder, Khyzhnyak failed to win gold at the 2020 Olympics, losing in dramatic fashion in the final of the 75 kg weight category to Brazilian Hebert Souza. The decisive meeting in Tokyo ended with a knockout of the Ukrainian.

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