Khomenko Outpoints Russia's Baibakov to Claim U-19 European Gold for Ukraine

Oleksandr Khomenko's U-19 European Title

According to Рубрика: Ukraine's Oleksandr Khomenko captured gold at the U-19 European Championship in Serbia, beating Russia's Ivan Baibakov in the final of the over-90kg class. The judges ruled unanimously in his favor after three rounds at the competition in Loznica. In his post-fight comments, Khomenko thanked his coach, parents, and team, saying:

"My opponent was very strong and well prepared. I want to thank my coach, my family, my father, my mother, and my team. Without them, none of this would have been possible."

Ukraine's Growing Boxing Success

This win was the second time a Ukrainian boxer had defeated a Russian opponent at a major international competition since the start of the full-scale war; in 2022, Oleksandr Khyzhniak accomplished a similar feat at the Strandzha tournament. At the 2026 U-19 European Championship, Ukraine's team collected six medals in total:

• 1 gold
• 1 silver
• 4 bronze

Notably, the country was represented by its second-string squad-boxers who finished as runners-up at the national championships.

Khomenko's achievement was part of a larger wave of Ukrainian boxing success. Oleksandr Usyk beat Rico Verhoeven by technical knockout in the 11th round, and Anastasiia Petrenko claimed the vacant IBO world title in the second-lightest weight division. Petrenko's belt marked Ukraine's first women's world championship in 24 years, underscoring how far the country's boxing program has come.

Khomenko's performance underlines the depth of Ukraine's boxing tradition and its athletes' ability to win even in difficult conditions. International results such as the U-19 Europeans also highlight the potential of young Ukrainian fighters, and these achievements help strengthen Ukraine's image in sport and inspire the next generation. The U-19 European Championships remain an important stepping stone for athletes hoping to reach the senior level.

As Ukraine continues to shine on the international stage, the recent success of the U-19 boxing team complements the achievements of other Ukrainian athletes. For instance, at the U20 World Championships in Bratislava, the Greco-Roman squad also showcased their prowess by securing gold and bronze medals. This highlights the growing strength of Ukraine in various combat sports, further reinforcing the nation's commitment to excellence in athletics. To learn more about their remarkable performance, see how the Greco-Roman team fared in our detailed report on the U20 World Championships.