Paris Olympics: Villegas adds bronze medal for PH

DESPITE losing in the semifinals to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the women’s 50kg class at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Filipina boxer Aira Villegas will not go home empty-handed, with a bronze medal guaranteed.

At the Roland-Garros Stadium, the Filipina boxer suffered a devastating unanimous decision loss to the more experienced Turkish boxer, Cakiroglu, a past 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist. 

For the time being, the dream of hearing her name called for a gold medal may have to wait, as the first-time Olympian may have to settle for a bronze medal in her debut at the highly regarded Summer Games.

Gallant stand

Coming into the bout, the odds were clearly stacked in favor of the Turkish boxer, who had won numerous medals at the European Championships and a silver in Tokyo. Villegas even regarded this as her most difficult match thus far. 

In what some would consider a rematch between Villegas and Cakiroglu, who met in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Championships, the Filipina was overpowered by the third-seeded boxer.

Photo Courtesy: AFP

During the opening round of the match, Cakiroglu sent Villegas to a standing eight-count, allowing her to jump ahead of the scoreboards. The second round was similar in that the Turkish boxer maintained her lead.

In the third and final round, Villegas tried to claw her way back into the bout by throwing eye-catching punches, but it was too late. Moreover, her efforts were insufficient to overturn the favor. 

Not a loss, but an experience

Nonetheless, Villegas made a brave attempt, given that the Turkish boxer was much favored in their battle. Proving that the debutant’s failure will only motivate her to compete again in the Olympics.

“Hindi naman po ako super disappointed kasi ginawa ko ang best ko. Talagang napag-aralan ako and aminado po ako magaling talaga siya,” admitted Villegas.

Before wrapping up the interview, the Filipina fighter addressed both her younger and future selves. Highlighting the fact that she has gone a long way to be proud of her abilities in the ring.

Photo Courtesy: AFP

“Sa younger self ko, I know that you are already proud of me. To my future self, mas lalo ka pang magiging proud sa akin.”

“Gagawin ko [ang lahat] para sa pangarap ko na bago man lang mag-retire sa boxing is patugtugan ako ng national anthem ng bansa natin sa mismong Olympics.”

“Sa lahat po ng Pilipino na, again, napuyat, I’m sorry.Nakapag-uwi po ako ng medalya, sana po proud pa rin po kayo sa akin,” says Villegas, who was visibly happy with what she was able to achieve in her first stint.

Nesthy Petecio is currently the Philippine boxing team’s only hope of winning gold at the Paris Games. She has already secured a bronze medal, but she will face Poland’s Julia Szeremeta tomorrow at 3:46AM.