In an intense bout from start to finish, Cuban boxer Arlen López was defeated this Sunday by Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the semifinal round, ending his quest to become the fourth boxer to win three Olympic gold medals. The match took place at the Paris North Arena, where López, the champion of both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, lost his unbeaten record in Olympic competition to Khyzhniak, who was a silver medalist in Tokyo at 75 kilograms.
This time, both fighters competed in the 80-kilogram category, delivering a thrilling match. However, Khyzhniak emerged victorious with a split decision from the judges (2-3) with scores of 28-29, 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. As a result, López, from Guantanamo, who is unlikely to compete in Los Angeles 2028, missed the chance to equal the feat achieved by Hungarian Laszlo Papp (1948, 1952, 1956) and fellow Cubans Teófilo Stevenson (1972, 1976, 1980) and Félix Savón (1992, 1996, 2000). Nevertheless, he will add a bronze medal to his impressive career.
Cuba's boxing team arrived in France with five fighters, but in earlier rounds, stars like Julio César la Cruz (92 kg), Saidel Horta (57 kg), and Alejandro Claro (51 kg) were eliminated. The once-undisputed queen of Olympic boxing managed to qualify only one contender for the final: Erislandy Álvarez, who will face local favorite Sofiane Oumiha for the title.
Álvarez showcased a dominant offensive performance today, defeating Georgian Lasha Guruli in the 63.5-kilogram category. The 2023 world silver medalist from Tashkent unleashed a barrage of punches, leaving no room for doubt, and won by unanimous decision (5-0) with scores of 30-26, 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27. Guruli was unable to counter Álvarez's relentless attack.
Since Beijing 2008, Cuba has always secured at least one gold medal in Olympic boxing. The last time Cuba won only two medals was in Mexico 1968. It's worth noting that Cuba was absent from the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Cuban-born Azerbaijani Loren Berto Alfonso defeated his fellow countryman Enmanuel Reyes, who competes for Spain, to advance to the fight for Olympic glory, leaving Reyes with a bronze medal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arlen López's Semifinal Loss
Here are some common questions and answers regarding Arlen López's recent performance and the state of Cuban boxing at Paris 2024.
Who defeated Arlen López in Paris 2024?
Arlen López was defeated by Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the semifinal round.
How many medals has Arlen López won in his Olympic career?
Arlen López has won two gold medals (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and one bronze medal (Paris 2024) in his Olympic career.
Who is Erislandy Álvarez facing in the final?
Erislandy Álvarez will face local favorite Sofiane Oumiha in the final.
What is the significance of Cuba's performance in Paris 2024?
Cuba's performance in Paris 2024 is notable for having only one finalist in Olympic boxing, contrasting with its historical dominance in the sport.