Aira Villegas earns bronze in women’s boxing at Paris Olympics
Aira Villegas’ remarkable journey in the women’s 50-kilogram boxing division of the Paris Olympics concluded on a challenging note early Wednesday (Philippine Standard Time).
Villegas faced off against Turkiye’s formidable Buse Naz Çakıroğlu in the semifinals at the iconic Roland Garros Stadium, ultimately securing a bronze medal for the Philippines.
Çakıroğlu, the third seed in the competition, demonstrated her prowess from the outset, landing precise and powerful shots that kept Villegas on the defensive. In the first round, a right straight at the 2:22 mark wobbled Villegas, prompting referee Wade Peterson to administer a standing eight-count.
Villegas had a fleeting moment of hope in the second round when she seemed to knock Çakıroğlu down with a right hook. However, Peterson ruled it a slip, a decision that some boxing fans contested. Despite Villegas’ efforts, all five judges awarded the round to the Turkish fighter, maintaining her lead.
The third round saw Çakıroğlu continue to dominate, with the judges scoring it unanimously in her favor. With this victory, Çakıroğlu advances to face top-seeded Chinese contender Wu Yu, who secured her spot in the finals with a split-decision (4-1) win over Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay.
Although Villegas fell short of reaching the final, her performance throughout the tournament was commendable. The judges’ scorecards reflected Çakıroğlu’s dominance, with three judges scoring the bout 30-27 and the remaining two at 30-26.
Villegas’ bronze medal marks a significant achievement for the Philippines, adding to the country’s medal tally, which now stands at three. Her spirited fight and determination have been a source of pride and inspiration.
Fellow Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio is also assured of at least a bronze medal and will compete for a shot at gold on Thursday morning (Manila time).
As Villegas returns home with her bronze medal, she has undoubtedly etched her name in Philippine sports history, showcasing resilience and skill on the grand Olympic stage.
