Aira Villegas’ dream lives on in Paris after a huge split decision victory over hometown favorite Wassila Lkhadiri by the smallest of margins in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games 2024 Boxing women’s 50 kg category, assuring herself of her first-ever Olympic medal on Sunday morning (Philippine time).
Just a few days after her rousing unanimous-decision, birthday win over Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam in the second round, Villegas knew she had to work hard against the woman who grew up just a few minutes from the North Paris Arena.
The win advances Villegas to the semifinals at the Roland-Garros stadium on Wednesday, August 7, at 4:18 AM.
She will face 2022 World Championships gold medalist and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Buse Naz Çakıroğlu of Turkey.
With the contest still hanging in the balance, Villegas made sure the judges knew she was in control of the battle with powerful blows against Lkhadiri to open the frame.
Lkhadiri, however, proved equal to the Filipino’s strategy and landed quality shots, but the round still went to the quicker Villegas.
The battle was intense right from the start as both fighters played to their strengths.
The 29-year-old Olympic debutant from the Philippines excelled in counter-attacks, while the veteran Frenchwoman impressed the judges with her powerful shots.
This was the case for the first and second rounds, setting up a thrilling fight to the finish for a ticket to the semifinals.
