Khyzhniak Wins Gold in Paris After Tokyo Heartbreak

PARIS (AP) — Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine has finally achieved his Olympic dream, clinching the gold medal in middleweight boxing at the Paris Games. Three years after a heartbreaking loss in Tokyo, where he was just a minute away from victory, Khyzhniak dominated his final bout, showcasing an impressive array of uppercuts and power punches. His victory was marked by a cathartic moment as he dropped to his knees in relief upon having his hand raised. Reflecting on his previous Olympic experience, Khyzhniak had spent the last three years contemplating his loss to Brazil's Hebert Sousa, where he was leading on all scorecards before being knocked down. This setback fueled his determination to return stronger, and he faced a series of challenging opponents leading up to the final, including a tough semifinal against two-time Olympic gold medalist Arlen López from Cuba. In the final match, Khyzhniak faced 24-year-old Oralbay, a skilled contender with significant punching power. The bout was closely contested, with both fighters nearly even on the scorecards heading into the decisive third round. Khyzhniak's performance ultimately secured him the gold medal, making him the second champion of the day at Roland Garros, alongside Cuba's Erislandy Álvarez. Earlier in the day, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan advanced to the women’s featherweight gold medal bout, overcoming scrutiny regarding misconceptions about her gender, further highlighting the diverse narratives emerging from the Paris Olympics.