Wyatt Sanford has ended a Canadian Olympic medal drought in boxing, but it will not be the colour he wants.
Sanford lost a split decision (4-1) against three-time world champion Sofiane Oumiha of France in the semifinals of the men’s 63.5-kilogram division on Sunday, forcing the Canadian to settle for bronze.
Both semifinal losers earn bronze medals in boxing.
It is Canada’s 16th medal at Paris 2024.
Sanford, from Kennetcook, N.S., guaranteed Canada’s first medal in the sport since 1996 with a split-decision win over Ruslan Abdullaev of Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
David Defiagbon’s heavyweight silver from Atlanta 1996 was the last Olympic boxing medal for Canada. Lennox Lewis is the most recent Canadian Olympic champ, winning heavyweight gold in 1988.
On Sunday, the referee gave a standing eight-count to Sanford after Oumiha connected with one shot.
Along with his three world titles, Oumiha won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Sanford, 25, is the only male on Canada’s boxing team for the second Olympics in a row. He won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games to book a Paris ticket.
He had made his Olympic debut in the men’s 69-kg event at Tokyo three years ago and was eliminated in the first round.
Canadian boxer Wyatt Sanford made history at the Tokyo Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the men’s welterweight division. Despite suffering a defeat in the semifinals, Sanford put on a valiant effort in the bronze medal match to secure his spot on the podium.
Sanford, who hails from Alberta, Canada, entered the Olympics as a relatively unknown boxer but quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances in the ring. In his quarterfinal bout, Sanford defeated a highly ranked opponent to advance to the semifinals, where he faced tough competition from an experienced boxer.
Although Sanford fell short in the semifinals, he showed great resilience and determination in his bronze medal match. He faced off against another skilled opponent and put on a strong performance, showcasing his speed, agility, and technical skills. In the end, Sanford emerged victorious, earning Canada its first boxing medal of the Tokyo Olympics.
Sanford’s bronze medal win is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing. He has overcome numerous challenges and obstacles to reach this point, and his success at the Olympics is a well-deserved achievement. As he stands on the podium, proudly displaying his medal, Sanford serves as an inspiration to aspiring boxers everywhere.
In the aftermath of his Olympic success, Sanford has expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his coaches, teammates, and fans. He hopes that his bronze medal win will inspire other Canadian boxers to strive for greatness and represent their country on the international stage.
Overall, Wyatt Sanford’s journey to Olympic bronze is a story of perseverance, passion, and triumph. His performance in Tokyo has solidified his place among Canada’s top boxers and has left a lasting impact on the sport of boxing. As he returns home with his medal in hand, Sanford can be proud of his accomplishments and look forward to a bright future in the world of boxing.