Josel Sapitan

Nearing glory, Aira Villegas continues her 2024 Paris Olympic medal bid campaign after edging France boxer Wassila Lkhadiri in the 50-kg women’s quarterfinals on August 4 (Manila time) at the North Paris.

Photo Courtesy of Peter Cziborra/REUTERS.

The 29-year-old Filipina pug is assured to be the first Philippine boxer to bring home an Olympic medal as she advanced to the semifinals via split decision, 29-28, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29, 29-28, to follow Carlos Yulo, who just won the gold earlier in gymnastics.

Villegas reclaimed her revenge against the French boxer Lkhadiri after riding her previous defeat in the 74th Strandja Cup last year in Bulgaria and managed to silence the home team's wild crowd.

"Wala akong pakialam sa maraming nagchi-cheer, mas lalong nabu-boost ako. Sabi ko, kailangan manahimik, 'tong crowd."

With the victory, it's also a milestone achievement for the country that celebrated 100 years of participation and guaranteed a close consecutive multiple Olympic medal to be grave in history for the first time.

“Inaalay ko din ‘to sa mga kasamahan ko, lalo na kay Eumir, Hergie, at Carlo.”

The rivalry between the two boxers in the first and second rounds was intense as both sides exchanged punches that tied their score.

Entering the last round, Villegas escaped the threat of Lkhadiri after unleashing punches in crunch time to make the momentum last and seal the clinching win.

Villegas gets the PH boxing team back on track after Carlos Paalam unexpectedly exits last night and two other boxers bow out of contention, Eumir Marcial (men’s 85 kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75 kg).

The Philippines, nearing Olympic medal hope in boxing, will face Turkey's No. 3 seed, Buse Naz Cakiroglu on Wednesday, August 7 (Manila time).