Although Aira Villegas’ Olympic dream of hearing the national anthem play in her honor will have to wait, she still secured a spot on the podium.
The Olympic Games debutant from the Philippines absorbed a unanimous decision defeat to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semifinals of the women’s 50 kg boxing category on Wednesday at Roland-Garros Stadium.
Cakiroglu, a Tokyo 2020 silver medalist from Europe, showcased her prowess, ensuring her spot in the final and relegating Villegas to an Olympic bronze.
Villegas made a valiant effort, landing significant punches in the third round of their rematch from the 2022 World Championships quarterfinal.
However, her efforts were insufficient to overturn the decision against the formidable Turkish boxer.
The first two rounds were particularly challenging for Villegas.
Cakiroglu, a world silver medalist, dominated early, even forcing a standing eight count on Villegas in the opening frame, creating an insurmountable lead.
Despite the loss, the native of Tacloban City displayed remarkable tenacity and skill. Villegas’ best performance in a major tournament before the Olympics was a bronze medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
Now, she adds an Olympic bronze to her accolades, marking a significant achievement on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
The young pugilist’s performance in Paris has shown that she belongs among the elite boxers of the world, and with her bronze medal win, she has set the stage for future success.
In the end, while the anthem didn’t play for her this time, Villegas’ efforts brought pride to her nation and demonstrated that her time to stand atop the podium may not be far off.
