Paris Olympics: Boxer Aira Villegas makes triumphant debut

The Philippines’ Aira Villegas celebrates after winning against Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki in the women’s 50kg preliminaries round of 32 boxing match during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 28, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Team Philippines’ Aira Villegas began her medal bid in style in the women’s 50kg boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics after advancing to the Round of 16 on Monday.

Villegas dominated Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki via unanimous decision (5-0) in the Round of 32 at North Paris Arena in France.

With the victory, Villegas, who hails from Tacloban City, needs just two more wins to assure herself of a bronze medal.

READ: Paris Olympics 2024: Meet the Philippine boxing team

The 28-year-old Villegas faces a tough test Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam, who is seeded second in the tournament.

Villegas, who hopes to make the most of her maiden Olympic stint, shoots for a spot in the quarterfinals on Friday at 2 a.m.

Another Philippine boxing bet in the women’s category Nesthy Petecio, who won silver in Tokyo, makes her debut in the Paris Games on Tuesday night, 11:54 p.m., against Jaismine of Indonesia in the 57kg round of 32.

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024

Three more boxers led by Tokyo Games medalists Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam, open their campaign on Wednesday.

Marcial goes up against Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan in the men’s 80kg round of 16 at 3:04 a.m. while Paalam takes on Jude Gallagher of Ireland in the men’s 57kg round of 16 at 9:30 p.m.

Rounding out the PH boxing team competing in Paris is Hergie Bacyadan, who also plunges into action on Wednesday in the women’s 75kg round of 16 bout against Li Qian of China at 6:04 p.m.