Oralbay from Kazakhstan became the first finalist of the 2024 Olympic Games in boxing up to 80 kg. He is a potential rival of the Ukrainian Khiznyak

Kazakhstani boxer Nurbek Oralbay became the first finalist Olympic Games 2024 in the weight category up to 80 kilograms. In the semi-final confrontation, the 24-year-old native of Astana defeated by Christian Pinales from the Dominican Republic.

The fight was even, in each of the three rounds the decisions of all five judges did not coincide, but in all cases Oralbay received a minimal advantage. In the end, he won by split decision – 3:2 (30:27, 29:28, 28:29, 27:30, 30:27).

The second finalist will be determined this evening. Oralbay’s rival in the battle for gold could be a Ukrainian Alexander Khizhnyak. To do this, he needs to defeat Cuban Arnel Lopez in the semifinals. The Khizhnyak-Lopez fight will begin at approximately 18:20 Kyiv time.

Let us recall that Khizhnyak started in Paris with a strong-willed victory over Filip Akilov, who represented Hungary. In the quarterfinals, Alexander was stronger than the Brazilian Vanderlei Pereira by unanimous decision.

Reaching the semi-finals guaranteed the Ukrainian boxer at least a bronze medal. This will be the second Olympic medal in Khiznyak’s career. At the 2020 Games in Tokyo, 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.

Earlier, Dmitry Lovchinsky lost by knockout to Australian Teremoane Junior in the first round of the over 92 kg weight category. And Ayder Abduraimov lost in the 1/8 finals in the up to 57 kg category at the 2024 Olympics to Bulgarian Javier Ibanez Diaz.

Let us recall that WBO/WBA/IBO/WBC heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk previously promised to personally pay prize money to Ukrainian boxers for each medal won at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Yesterday, at the 2024 Olympics, Ukraine won its first gold medal — the women’s team won in sabre fencing. The award for the sabre fencers was the third for Ukrainian athletes at the Games in Paris. Earlier Olga Harlan won a bronze medal in sabre fencing. Sergey Kulish won silver in the 50-meter air rifle three-position event. Another medal for Ukraine was guaranteed by a boxer Alexander Khizhnyak.

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.