Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu and The Philippines’ Aira Villegas (Blue) compete in the women’s 50kg semifinal boxing match during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 6, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Team Philippines’ Aira Villegas capped off her Olympic debut with a bronze medal in the women’s boxing 50kg class at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday.
But despite failing to advance to the final, Villegas was pleased with her overall performance, which she hopes to have also made his countrymen brimming with pride.
“I’m not super disappointed because I know I did my best. And I have to admit, [my opponent] is really good and she studied me well. To all Filipinos who stayed up to watch my fight, I’m sorry. But we’re able to bring home a medal and I hope I still made you all proud,” said Villegas in Filipino in an interview with ONE Sports.
READ: Aira Villegas takes home boxing bronze for PH after semifinal loss
Villegas’ unexpected run to the semifinals came to a halt against Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu by unanimous decision at the Roland Garros Stadium.
“They’re shocked that I reached the semis so I know she really prepared for me. I also studied her and we have the same style. She’s just a good fighter who creates distance,” Villegas said of Cakiroglu, who was a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and a gold medalist in the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul.
The pride of Tacloban, Leyte also hopes her maiden stint in the Summer Games won’t be her last.
“I have a dream that before I retire, I want to hear our national anthem playing in the Olympics,” said Villegas.
READ: Paris Olympics: Motivated Aira Villegas gets rid of ghost of past
The 29-year-old Villegas lost to Cakiroglu for the second time in as many meetings.
“I know we’ll meet again in the near future and I can’t fall to 0-3 against her,” she said.
Villegas’ loss left Nesthy Petecio as the last Filipino boxer standing in Paris.
Petecio, who is already assured of a bronze, goes for a spot in the gold medal round on Friday against Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the women’s 57kg semifinal.
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