In the final fight, the Ukrainian defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbay by split decision
Ukrainian boxer Alexander Khizhnyak commented on the victory on Olympics 2024 in boxing in the weight category up to 80 kg.
“Unlimited joy to God for this award. The medal I lived for before these Olympic Games. I thank God that I am an Olympic champion. Unlimited gratitude to our military for protecting peace and tranquility in my country at the cost of their own lives.”
“I would like to thank my father for helping me get to this gold medal. This is our award together. I am grateful to my wife, who believed in me and never doubted for a second that we would succeed. Thanks to my family, my city, Ukrainians and the whole world that supported me.”
“Every time, answering the question about fights at the Olympic Games, which opponent was the most difficult, at these or previous ones, I can say that fights at the Olympics are difficult to compare with other competitions. Looking at the first fight at the Olympics in Paris, which was very valuable for me, and the last one – it may seem that they are different, and I am in different shape. But they are very valuable for me, and I am very happy to God that I was able to win.”
“I am glad that I won all my fights at these competitions. I am proud to represent Ukraine at the Olympic Games and bring gold to my city and country.”
“I am grateful that my coach is my father. We live with him, 24 hours a day at competitions, at training camps, we constantly spend time together. He gives me instructions on how to best conduct this fight, which combinations would work better against one or another opponent. I want to thank my father for the fact that this entire path, from fight to fight, from attack to counterattack, we worked through and analyzed every second with him.”
“This award will probably open a new door in my life. I can’t say whether it’s professional boxing or whether I’ll continue my journey as an amateur. It will take time. I’ll go back home, spend time with my family, and then I’ll decide how I’d like to continue my life.”
“For me, the main goal was the Olympic Games and gold in Paris. I didn’t even consider whether it would be professionals or amateurs – all this time there was only one goal. The Olympics in Paris.”
“When I stood on the podium and the anthem was played, I remembered this entire journey: all the training, all the work, my life. How I woke up, fell asleep. The only thoughts were: Olympic gold. And when the Ukrainian flag was raised… I love my country, I love everything in my country: the land, the water, the air. Wherever I go to any country, I am always drawn to Ukraine, it is the best. And when the Ukrainian flag was raised, I thanked God that the flag was raised at such competitions, the anthem was played, so many people sang it. For me, this was very valuable, and it was hard to hold back the tears with every cell of my body, these emotions were going through me.”
“Of course, these competitions are very important and valuable. And this victory is valuable, considering the conditions in which we prepared, how difficult it was. These were special competitions for me, a large amount of work, loads, and the current conditions in our country were added. Many thanks to our military, which is a great example for me, they protect peace and tranquility in our country at the cost of their own lives.”
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khizhnyak won the gold medal of the 2024 Olympics in boxing in the weight category up to 80 kg. In the final fight, the Ukrainian defeated the representative of Kazakhstan Nurbek Oralbay by a split decision of the judges.
Khizhnyak started in Paris with a strong-willed victory over Filip Akilov, representing Hungary. In the quarterfinals, Alexander was stronger than the Brazilian Vanderlei Pereira by unanimous decision. In the semifinals, the Ukrainian was stronger in the fight with two-time Olympic champion from Cuba Arlen Lopez.
This is the second Olympic medal in Khiznyak’s career. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, he won silver in the 75 kg weight category. It should be noted that Oleksandr is the second Ukrainian boxer after Vasyl Lomachenko to win two awards at the Olympics.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will end on August 11. The competitions will feature 329 sets of awards in 32 sports. Ukraine is represented in Paris by 140 athletes in 23 sports – this is the smallest representation of the blue and yellow during the Olympics.
Source: Sportarena
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