Biography of Alexander Hizhnyak

Alexander Alexandrovich Khizhnyak was born on August 3 in the city of Poltava. He received higher education at the Poltava National Pedagogical University and the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine. The family of the athlete's father is Alexander Hizhnyak Sr. Boxing coach. Alexander Jr. is a relationship with a girl named Tatyana Shestakova. The career Alexander began to engage in boxing under the leadership of his father.

The first significant success of the athlete was the victory at the Youth World Cup in the year in the weight category up to 75 kg. In the years, he twice won silver awards at the championships of Ukraine in a weight of up to 81 kg. Then they began to attract him to the main male team of Ukraine. From January to April, Poltava spent nine fights in which he won five victories one knockout.

In the year, the Ukrainian boxer took part in I European Games. However, in the semifinals, Hizhnyak lost to Italian Valentin Mendophany and became a bronze medalist. But at the World Cup, which was held in the same year, Alexander spoke less successfully. The Ukrainian twice tried to get a license to participate in the Olympics in Rio. But both times unsuccessfully. In April, Hizhnyak took part in the European qualification tournament.

Having won two victories and losing twice, he took fourth place. Two months later, at the Aiba world qualification tournament, the Ukrainian flew out at the stage of the quarterfinals, losing Belarusian Mikhail Dovgolovts. But in November of the same year, Alexander won the title of champion of Ukraine in the weight category up to 75 kg. In the decisive battle, the Poltava resident by the unanimous decision of the judges defeated the Universiade champion Dmitry Mitrofanov from Chernigov.

The fruitful for gold medals of Alexander came out for a year. In March, he was stronger than all at the youth continental championship. Then, in June, Hizhnyak won already at the “adult” championship of Europe. In a fight for gold, he defeated the bronze medalist of the Camran Olympics of Shakran from Azerbaijan. In September, the Ukrainian won the title of world champion.

The Ukrainian boxer won a unanimous decision of judges. In the fall of the year, Alexander again won the title of champion of Ukraine. This time in the final, Alexei Tokarchuk from the Vinnitsa region was defeated by the unanimous decision of the judges. In February, the Ukrainian won five victories, won a gold medal at the Wineage tournament in Bulgaria.

Two months later, he was stronger than all in his category at the tournament in Georgia. In June of that year, Hizhnyak took part in European games for the second time. And if in the year he won bronze, then four years later, Alexander became the winner of the tournament. In August, Alexander was seen as a favorite of world championship. However, he was forced to miss this tournament.

The World Cup held in the city of Yekaterinburg and in connection with intense political relations between Ukraine and Russia all the leaders of the "yellow-blue" team, including Hizhnyak, did not go to the competition. But in September, Alexander again became the champion of Ukraine. In January, the Hizhnyak defended his title of the Volga Tournament Champion.

In the final battle, the Ukrainian unanimous decision of the judges defeated the Belarusian opponent Vadim Pankov. Due to the Pandemia of the Coronavirus, the Olympic Games, which were supposed to take place in the summer of the year, were moved for one year. In August, Hizhnyak spoke at his first Olympics. In the first battle in Tokyo, the Ukrainian defeated the owner of the tournament Yuito Morivaki.

In the quarterfinals, Hizhnyak defeated Eury Seden from the Dominican Republic. In the semifinals, the Filipino Emir Martial was defeated. In the decisive battle, Alexander was opposed by the bronze medalist of the world championship Ebert Conseau. In the third round, Hizhnyak dominated, but having missed a blow from the Brazilian boxer, he was in a knockout. The judge stopped the battle, declaring Conseisau the winner.

Alexander became only a silver medalist of the Olympic Games. Now it is difficult to comment on the final fight. Probably, you still need to work to earn a gold medal. I will continue the preparation, ahead of Paris, ”said Hizhnyak after the final battle. The head of the Ukrainian boxing federation Vladimir Podivus criticized the decision of the arbitrator in the final match, calling his decision to stop the fight unprofessional.

Alexander Hizhnyak received 80 thousand dollars as prizes for a silver medal from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.