Aira Villegas punches way to Round of 16 in Olympic debut

Filipina boxer Aira Villegas kicked off her Olympic campaign with a decisive victory, defeating Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki in the Round of 32 of the women’s 50kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Villegas showcased her boxing prowess, dominating the bout with a combination of speed, power, and precision. Her calculated aggression and strategic defense proved too much for Mouttaki, ultimately earning her a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28.

The Tacloban City native’s impressive performance sets the tone for the Philippine boxing team and boosts hopes for a medal finish.

Villegas will now face a tougher challenge in the Round of 16 against Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam on Friday, August 2.