Aira Villegas’ Paris 2024 journey took a big bump in 2023, but she jabbed her way back when needed the most, now ready to stand at the pinnacle of sports.
In the sport of boxing where punches are thrown like thunder and resilience reigns supreme, Aira Villegas has proven that women are just as capable as men.
The pride of Tacloban, Leyte is just one of five Filipino boxers who is set to represent the Philippine Centennial Team in the upcoming Olympic Paris Games 2024.
Since her debut fight in 2012, Villegas hurdled every obstacle along the way to earn the right to represent the Philippines in the Olympics.
Here’s a timeline of all the related events leading to Villegas’ journey to Paris 2024:
December 6, 2019: First piece of silverware
In her opening match in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hosted by the Philippines, Villegas put on an impressive tournament debut, outclassing Vilayphone Vongphachanh of Laos in a four-round women’s bantamweight (-54 kg) clash via a 5-0 unanimous decision win.
Villegas, however, lost via split decision to Thailand’s Nilawan Techasuep in the semifinals, settling for a bronze medal for her first medal of her career.
Three judges scored the fight for the Thai boxer, 30-27 and 29-28 twice, overruling the other two judges who had it 29-28 for the Filipina.
September 24, 2023: Early exit in Guangzhou
Villegas decided to drop weight in her 19th Asian Games campaign in Guangzhou, China after her original weight class got scrapped.
The southpaw suffered an early exit in the Asiad, bowing out against Mongolia’s Yesugen Oyuntsetseg in the women’s 50kg event.
[ALSO READ: Aira Villegas bows to Mongolian foe in Asian Games]
"Sa susunod, babawi," Villegas spoke after a tough loss as he now needs to rack up wins now in hopes of qualifying for the Olympics next year.
February 3, 2024 - Golden bounce-back
Villegas and the rest of Team Philippines opened 2024 with a bounce-back campaign in 2024 Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia, Spain.
She toppled Kyzaibay Nazym of Kazahkstan behind a narrow 3-2 decision win, clinching the gold medal in the women’s -50kg division, a run that included victories over Caitlin Fryers of Ireland in the quarterfinals, and Kelsey Oakley of England in the semis.
Alongside compatriots Nesthy Petecio, Rogen Ladon, Hergie Bacyadan, our Pinoy boxers hauled down four gold medals in the event that further boosted the country’s hopes of clinching Olympic berths.
March 12, 2024 - Hello, Paris!
This day will forever be etched in Villegas’ life.
She punched her way to Paris 2024 with a 5-0 win over Bulgaria's Zlatislava Chukanova in the -50kg quarterfinals of the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
In a tight contest, Villegas unanimously won the first two rounds, but received a one-point penalty for holding as she left the comeback door open for Chukanova.
The Olympic ticket appeared to slip out of Villegas’ hands when she got knocked down in the third round, but managed to shrug the fall off and finished the fight.
The result? A 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 28-28, 28-28 verdict that sealed her spot in Paris 2024.
[ALSO READ: Paris-bound! Boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas book 2024 Olympic tickets]
Alongside Petecio, there are two women boxers who will represent Team Philippines in the Olympics, and Villegas is eager to prove that she can perform too in the biggest sporting spectacle in the world.
“Itong Olympics na ito is sobrang napaka-halaga sa akin dahil simula sa wala tapos nakikilala ako, so sa darating na Olympics is parang papatunayan ko sa sarili ko kaya ko din makipag-sabayan sa iba na makapag-laro dito,” said Villegas.
[ALSO READ: 'Kaya ko rin': Aira Villegas ready to make a name for herself in Olympic Games Paris 2024]
As of now, the Philippine boxing team is in Metz, France for a month-long preparation as Villegas and Co. are hungrier than ever in hopes of bringing the country its first-ever Olympic gold in boxing.
It took her 12 years, but Villegas is finally at the stage where many dreamt but only a few reached. Who knows, maybe Villegas’s Olympic debut may turn into a memorable, golden moment.
Story Summary:
- Aira Villegas, a Filipino boxer from Tacloban, Leyte, demonstrates remarkable resilience and skill, securing a spot on the Philippine Centennial Team for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
- Villegas' journey includes notable achievements like her bronze medal in the 2019 SEA Games and a gold at the 2024 Boxam Elite Tournament, highlighting her path to Olympic qualification.
- Despite setbacks, including an early exit at the 2023 Asian Games, Villegas bounced back, clinching her Paris 2024 berth with a decisive victory in the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]