Aira Villegas books ticket to quarterfinals with birthday win
Team Philippines’ Aira Villegas, celebrates after defeating Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam after defeated her in their women’s 50kg preliminary boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Aira Villegas on early Friday (Philippine time) became the second Team Philippines boxer to advance to the quarterfinals in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Celebrating her 29th birthday, Villegas gave herself the perfect gift with an upset of No. 2 Roumaysa Boualam from Algeria to move closer to a guaranteed medal in Paris.
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It was the second straight unanimous decision win for Villegas, who has been impressive so far in her Olympic debut.
She gave the Philippine boxing team, which has since lost two medal hopefuls in Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan, a winning start in the Paris Olympics on Monday with a victory over Yasmine Mouttaki on points.
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Villegas needs just one more victory to earn at least a bronze medal and standing in the way of that is Wassila Lkhadiri from host France. Their quarterfinal bout is set for August 4.
Three more Filipino boxers are in the hunt for medals in Paris.
Carlo Paalam, who earned a bye to the round of 16, secured a seat in the quarterfinals after a winning debut on Thursday while Nesthy Petecio shoots for the next round early Saturday.
Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.
