The Will to Win: Khyzhniak boxes to Ukraine’s third gold medal of the Parisian Games

In a thrilling finale, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak emerged victorious as the new Olympic light-heavyweight champion, securing the gold after a gripping bout against the reigning world champion from Kazakhstan. Khyzhniak’s triumph, decided by a close 3:2 decision from the judges, underscores his extraordinary talent and perseverance. This impressive achievement follows a long and arduous journey for the Ukrainian athlete, highlighting his unwavering dedication and exceptional skill in the ring.

Oleksandr Khyzhniak, a native of Poltava, was considered one of the favorites in the boxing competition for his weight category. At the previous Olympics in Tokyo, he fell just one step short of winning the gold, when he lost the final to Brazilian fighter, Hebert Sousa.  But he still had an impressive silver medal in the bag.  Could he take another step forward in Paris?

The path to victory in Paris for the “Poltava Tank,” was far from a straightforward one. Only the previous year, Khyzhniak sustained a serious injury and had been unable to take part in competitive competition for 12 months. Nevertheless, it was his steely determination that allowed the athlete to  overcome all obstacles and setbacks that fell in his way to Olympic glory. 

In the first round of the Parisian light-heavyweight competition, Oleksandr faced a former Ukrainian, Philip Akilov, who is now representing Hungary instead, and emerged the victor by a split decision. Reaching the quarter-final stage, the formidable Ukrainian gained a victory over Brazil’s Wanderley Pereira. Stepping up to the semi-final dual, the boxer from Poltava was confronted with the tough figure of Cuba’s Arlen Lopez, who’s been a two-time Olympic champion.  This proved to be an incredibly challenging match.  Yet the Ukrainian boxer came out on top and managed to secure his historic place in an Olympic final.

The decisive final bout was against the seriously challenging figure of present light heavyweight world champion, Nurbek Oralbay.  The contest was very close, extremely tense, as after the first two rounds the judging panel had the two fighters’ scores level. This was clearly a deadly close fight but, coming out strong and determined in  the final decisive round, Khyzhniak showcased true boxing skill, endurance and power.  The reward for his hard work and strength was to stand on the top of the podium this time and to hear the Ukrainian anthem played (for the third time at this 2024 Olympic Games) and to watch as his flag was raised to the roof in celebration.

Oleksandr expressed patriotic pride in his achievements: “I thanked God that at the highest level of competition, the Ukrainian flag was raised, the anthem was played, and so many people sang it. It was very meaningful to me. It was hard to hold back the tears. I felt everything with every cell of my body,” he said, following his impressive victory.

The athlete continues to receive congratulations, with one of the first messages coming from Oleksandr Usyk, the now all-time-great heavyweight world boxing champion for all combined belts available: WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF.

The Olympic champion boxer also eulogized the role his father had played in his training and successful boxing career. Touchingly, Khyzhniak said that he regarded his gold medal as a shared achievement with his father.

“And this victory is especially valuable, considering the conditions in which we prepared and how difficult it was. These were special competitions for me, with an added workload, pressures, and the circumstances in our country. A huge thanks to our military, who are a great example to me, sacrificing their lives to protect peace and calm in our country. That is why these competitions and the victory in them were very important and valuable to me,” Oleksandr Khyzhniak commented on his triumph.

Cover: Suspilne