MANILA – Aira Villegas’ inspiring run in the women’s 50-kilogram boxing division at the Paris Olympics came to a bittersweet conclusion early Wednesday (Philippine Time). The Filipino boxer faced a formidable opponent in Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu during the semifinals, held at the renowned Roland Garros Stadium.
Despite the loss, Villegas proudly takes home a bronze medal, adding to the Philippines’ Olympic accolades. Cakiroglu, a silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics and the third seed in this competition, showcased her skills from the outset. She dominated the fight, landing precise punches that left Villegas reeling.
In the first round, a right straight from Cakiroglu at the 2:22 mark wobbled Villegas, prompting referee Wade Peterson to issue a standing eight-count. The second round brought a glimmer of hope for Villegas as she appeared to knock Cakiroglu down with a powerful right hook. However, Peterson ruled it a slip, and all five judges awarded the round to Cakiroglu.
The third round saw Cakiroglu maintain her dominance, with the judges scoring the bout 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26 in favor of the Turkish boxer, who will face top-seeded Chinese pugilist Wu Yu for gold on Saturday (Philippine Time).
Judges Radoslav Simon and Manuel Vilarino acknowledged Villegas’ struggles, with both awarding her a round as if she had scored knockdowns, reflecting the competitive nature of the bout.
This marks Villegas’ Olympic debut, a milestone achieved after overcoming numerous challenges, including injuries and early exits in her career. Born on August 1, 1995, in Tacloban, she discovered her passion for boxing at just nine years old, inspired by her older brother Rominick, a budding boxer himself.
In a previous interview with Vogue Philippines, Villegas recounted her journey from Tacloban to Manila, driven by a desire to pursue a professional boxing career and support her family. Her parents’ encouragement to seek adventure fueled her ambition as she made her mark in the sport.
Joining the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) at age 16, Villegas began her amateur career, eventually achieving a bronze medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Her journey in Paris has not only solidified her status as an Olympian but has also inspired countless Filipinos.
As she steps away from the ring with a bronze medal, Aira Villegas’ story is one of resilience and determination, marking the beginning of what promises to be a bright future in boxing.
