Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak defeated Brazilian Wanderley Pereira in the 80kg weight category quarterfinals at the Olympic Games in Paris on Aug. 3.
The 29-year-old Ukrainian won by unanimous decision, with a score of 30-26.
Khyzhniak has secured a spot in the semifinals, guaranteeing him at least a bronze medal, as the Olympic regulations stipulate that there is no third-place match.
In the semifinals, Khyzhniak will face off two-time Olympic champion Cuban Arlen Lopez on Aug. 4.
Ukraine has so far won two medals at the Paris Olympics. Shooter Serhiy Kulish won a silver medal in the 50m rifle three-position event. Fencer Olga Kharlan won bronze in the individual sabre event.
Khyzhniak, a silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, started in Paris with a victory over Pylyp Akilov, a Hungarian boxer of Ukrainian descent. He won by a split decision.
Khyzhniak was one step away from a gold medal in the 75 kg weight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Brazilian Hebert Conceicao defeated Khyzhniak by knockout.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
(Updated: )
