Wyatt Sanford became Canada’s first Olympic boxing medallist in 28 years on Sunday following a semifinal loss to France’s Sofiane Oumiha in the men’s 63.5-kilogram weight class.
The 25-year-old from Kennetcook, N.S., lost 4-1 on points, but he was assured a medal entering the bout as both semifinal losers receive bronze.
Despite moments of success with his left hook and a strong showing in the second and third rounds, Sanford was ultimately unable to overcome the three-time lightweight world champion.
Two of the five judges scored the second round for Sanford, while four of them gave him the nod in the third and final round.
WATCH | Sanford claims Canada’s 1st Olympic boxing medal in 28 years:
Wyatt Sanford became Canada’s first Olympic boxing medallist in 28 years on Sunday, following a semifinal split decision loss to France’s Sofiane Oumiha in the men’s 63.5-kilogram weight class.
David Defiagbon won Canada’s last Olympic medal in the sport with heavyweight silver at the 1996 Atlanta Games, while Lennox Lewis was the last Canadian to capture gold with the super-heavyweight title in 1988 in Seoul.
Sanford won his quarterfinal against Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Abdullaev on Thursday, guaranteeing him a medal result.
“It feels amazing. I am sure it will kick in when I meet my parents soon,” Sanford said of being assured a medal.
“I’m super excited and super thrilled that we were able to bring home a medal for Canada in boxing. It hasn’t been done for 28 years.”
“It was a great fight. Never count me out after the first round,” said Sanford, who was trailing Abdullaev at that time. “I’m used to losing the first round, but it’s my heart, my cardio that will push through, so I could win the second and the third.”
Sanford, the reigning Pan American champion, made his Olympic debut in 2021 at the Tokyo Games.
Oumiha is looking to win his country’s first-ever Olympic boxing title after claiming silver at the 2016 Games in Rio. The 29-year-old will face either Georgia’s Lasha Guruli or Cuba’s Erislandy Alvarez.
WATCH | Sanford punches his way to an Olympic medal:
Wyatt Sanford of Kennetcook, N.S., beat Ruslan Abdullaev of Uzbekistan in the men’s 63.5 kilogram quarterfinals, to advance to the semifinals where he’s guaranteed at least a bronze medal at Paris 2024.