It’s a double celebration for Filipina boxer Aira Villegas as she celebrates her birthday and beats Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam in the round of 16 women’s 50kg division in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Tacloban City native, who just turned 29, shocked the second seed in their weight class division at the North Paris Arena on Thursday, August 1 (Friday morning in Philippine time).
“This is the best gift ever to myself. I will remember this for the rest of my life. This is a gift to my younger self and to my future self. I heard [fans singing happy birthday]. I’m very grateful,” Villegas told reporters.
For starters, Roumaysa Boualam is a two-time African Games gold medalist. She received a bye into the round of 16 but was immediately put to the test as Villegas started the first round aggressively by landing bigger shots. However, Boualam recovered and won three of the five scorecards in the second round.
Also Read: Aira Villegas beats Moroccan foe to Advance in Olympics Boxing Event
Aira Villegas regained her control in the third frame, and all the judges scored the round with 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in favor of the Filipina boxer. This win advances Villegas to the quarterfinals.
On August 4, Villegas will be up against France’s Wassila Lkhadiri in the quarterfinals. Lkhadiri Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse in their own round-of-16 bout. If the quarterfinals go her way, Aira Villegas will be assured of a medal.
Also Read: Carlo Paalam Wins Over Irish Foe, Advancing To The Boxing Quarterfinals
A bronze medalist in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, Aira Villegas punched her way to the Paris Olympics last March in the 1st Boxing World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Italy.
On Wednesday, July 31, fellow Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s boxing 57-kilogram division. He will face Australia’s Charlie Senior in the quarters on August 3 at 9:46 PM in Philippine time.
Meanwhile, Nesthy Petecio, the first female boxer from the Philippines to medal at the Olympics, will face French Amina Zidani in the round of 16 on August 3 at 2 AM.
Keep Reading: Joanie Delgaco Ends Olympic Journey
Leave a Reply