MANILA, Philippines – Filipina boxer Aira Villegas advanced to the semifinal round and is guaranteed an Olympic medal after defeating French boxer Lkhadiri via a split decision early Sunday, August 4, in the women's boxing 50kg match.
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| Aira Villegas celebrated after she was declared winner in the quarterfinals, assured of at least bronze medal. | Photo courtesy: Cignal TV, IOC via One Sports |
Villegas is already assured of at least a bronze medal and became the first boxer to reach the medal round in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The judges scored the match 29-28, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29, 29-28.
The first two rounds were tight, as Villegas took the first, 3-2, while the hometown bet got three judges' nods in the next one.
Her triumph also means that the Philippines – celebrating 100 years of participation in the Olympics – will bring home multiple medals from consecutive Olympics for the first time in history.
The 29-year-old boxer also dedicated the victory to Paalam and other compatriots Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacdayan who ended their Paris 2024 journey prematurely.
“Inaalay ko rin 'to sa mga kasamahan ko, kina Eumir, Hergie, tapos kay Carlo kanina. Nalungkot ako pero sabi ko kailangan ko siyang gawing motivation para ibawi 'yung kasamahan ko," she said in an interview.
Prior to this bout, Villegas defeated Morocco's Yasmine Mouttaki in the Round of 32 and Algeria's Roumaysa Boualam in the Round of 16.
Villegas will face Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semifinals on August 7 (Manila time).
On Saturday, gymnast Carlos Yulo clinhed the country's first gold medal from the Paris Games.
Read: Carlos Yulo clinches second Olympic gold for the Philippines
Other Filipino boxer in contention for a medal is Nesthy Petecio.
— The Summit Express
