Paris, France, August 11, 2024: Uzbekistan’s formidable boxing team has propelled the country to its most successful Olympic Games in history.
Uzbekistan came into the final day of Paris 2024 – Sunday, August 11 – in 13th place in the medals table with eight gold, two silver and three bronze for a total of 13 medals.
Five of those eight gold medals have come from boxing, contributing to Uzbekistan’s best showing since joining the Olympics as an independent nation in 1996.
Their previous best medal haul was 13 at Rio 2016, but this total included only four gold medals.
Now they have five gold medals in boxing alone through:
Hasanboy Dusmatov – men’s 51kg
Abdumalik Khalokov – men’s 57kg
Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev – men’s 71kg
Lazizbek Mullojonov – men’s 92kg
Bakhodir Jalolov – men’s +92kg
The 2.01-metre Jalolov retained the title he won at Tokyo 2020 and became his country’s fifth boxing champion at Paris 2024 on Saturday, August 10.
"I'm very pleased with my victory today. I came to win. This is the very first time for Uzbekistan that we have won five gold medals for boxing, so this is part of our history now.
"Victory, first and foremost, is not just for me, it's for my country. When I get into the ring, that's all I think of."
Jalolov’s thoughts turned to one of his trainers, Tulkin Kilichev, who was taken to hospital.
"He is more than a father. He has raised us, he has educated us, he has transmitted the sport spirit to us. He is very disciplined; he is extremely responsible. I have learned a number of things from him. For that reason, it is that I have managed to reach this far.
"He is doing very well now. Thank you very much for all of the support and help, the doctors in France and in the United Kingdom. I'm always in contact with him. Before the Games, during the Games, we have been in constant contact. He has been with me in my heart. Tomorrow (Sunday), we are going to visit him in the hospital."