Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: Biyarslanov has moved past amateur boxing and plans to compete at the professional level. | Photo courtesy of Harvey K
York student Arthur Biyarslanov had the opportunity to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio this past August. The 21-year-old boxer competed in the 64-kg light welterweight division as the only male member of the Canadian boxing team.
Two months before the Olympics, Biyarslanov moved to Montreal to train with the national team’s coach. He went through a strict seven-week training camp, where he trained twice a day for six days a week and followed a strict diet, with special meals delivered to his apartment every day to ensure proper nutrition.
All that training paid off. Biyarslanov won his first bout in the round of 32 against Jordanian fighter Obada Al-Kasbeh, which went the full three rounds to a decision. Biyarslanov won all three rounds by scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28, respectively.
Unfortunately, the round of 16 was as far as Biyarslanov would get. He was eliminated in his second fight by German fighter Artem Harutyunyan, which again went to a decision.
Despite his frustration with the judges’ decision in his second fight, Biyarslanov was still grateful to have participated in the games.
“There’s nothing I can do to change the judges’ decision. But the experience will be something that will live on with me for the rest of my life, and I was very happy just to be a part of the Olympics,” he says.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. The atmosphere during the opening ceremonies was just incredible; it was a moment I will never forget. The noise of people screaming and cheering, and the number of people from countries all over the world in just one arena was amazing.
“I felt a lot of pressure, but it also felt good knowing that the whole world was watching me, and it really motivated me every time I thought about it,” he adds.
Although he originally stated he was not aiming to attend the next Summer Games in 2020, he didn’t shut the door on the possibility entirely.
“Four years is a very long time. Four years ago I never thought I would be at these Olympic games, but here I was. Anything is possible, so we’ll see what happens. Time will tell.”
