Paris 2024 Olympics – Boxing – Women’s 50kg – Quarterfinal – August 03, 2024: Aira Villegas of the Philippines competes against Wassila Lkhadiri of France.
Aira Villegas has clinched at least a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but her ambition reaches further.
Her eyes are set on the finals, where she dreams of hearing the Philippine national anthem played as she stands on the podium.
“I’m happy, but we still need to make it to the finals,” Villegas told the Philippine Olympic Committee media, including GMA Integrated News’ JP Soriano, after her victory over France’s Wassila Lkhadiri.
“I need to try to reach the finals because my dream is to have the national anthem played.”
Villegas is also gearing up for her semifinal bout against Turkish boxer Buse Naz Cakiroglu. The two previously faced off in the 2022 World Boxing Championships, where Cakiroglu, the hometown favorite, defeated Villegas in the quarterfinals.
“Honestly, when I saw the bracket, I knew I had to reach the finals to face those who have beaten me before and seek revenge,” Villegas shared.
“I focused on Turkey. When it was my turn against France, I didn’t care that she was the home favorite because in 2022, I went to Turkey alone with two coaches, faced their home country in the quarters without any cheers, and I handled it, though I lost.”
During a challenging second round against Lkhadiri, her coach provided the motivation she needed.
“My coach asked me if I was going to let her take it from me. I said, ‘No, this is mine,’ and eventually, it happened. I also thank God for it,” Villegas said.
Villegas and Cakiroglu will meet in the semifinals on Wednesday. A victory will secure her at least a silver medal in the Summer Games.