Paris 2024 boxing: All results, as Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak claims gold medal in men’s 80kg weight class
Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine delivered blow after blow to take the gold medal in men’s 80kg boxing, winning the final bout in a 3-2 spilt decision at Stade Roland-Garros on Wednesday, 7 August.
He won over the audience and, critically, the judges with his attacking style, keeping Nurbek Oralbay of Kazakhstan on the back foot for much of the bout.
“I’m ecstatic,” said the new Olympic champion. “Since I was a boy I’ve dreamed of being on this step of the podium.”
It was a dream come true for Khyzhniak, who proved to be a nightmare come to life for Oralbay.
The Ukrainian boxer began throwing punches the minute the clock started on the first round. He utilized body shots, uppercuts, jabs and punches straight into the Kazakh boxer’s defence to great effect, challenging his opponent early in the bout.
Oralbay kept his nerve, however, sidestepping whenever possible and responding to Khyzhniak’s attacks with ferocious blows of his own.
It was an entertaining display of boxing that kept the crowd engaged in the match and cheering each time one of the boxers landed a punch. Even the judges couldn’t settle on a dominant fighter after two rounds, giving one round to Khyzhniak and the other to Oralbay.
Nonetheless, Khyzhniak’s endless attacks would break Oralbay’s resolve in the third and final round, with his uppercuts penetrating the Kazakh boxer’s defence and his body shots landing with greater effect.
Still, Oralbay held his own, staying in the bout until the final bell sounded, nosebleed and all.
Despite the close score, there was no doubt about whose name would be called by the ring announcer at the end of the bout. Khyzhniak fell to his knees, humbled by his monumental achievement.
“Since getting the silver medal in Tokyo to this day, and finally getting the gold, I have worked so hard,” said an elated Khyzhniak. “But I’ve done it. It’s a gold medal for Ukraine.”
Sweet redemption was his, as he overcame the disappointment of a silver medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to win gold at Paris 2024.
Oralbay settled for silver, with Cristian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic and Arlen Lopez Cardona of Cuba leaving with bronze medals after losing their semifinal bouts earlier in the competition.
Boxing: Men’s 80kg podium
Gold: Oleksandr Khyzhniak, UKR Ukraine's
Silver: Nurbek Oralbay, KAZ
Bronze: Cristian Javier Pinales, DOM and Arlen Lopez Cardona, CUB
See all the results on Olympics.com.