'It Won’t Be My Last': Villegas takes Bronze in her Olympic debut, hopes intact

Aira's pursuit of gold may have ended in the semifinals, but the bronze in her Olympic debut signals a future with greater triumphs.

Aira Villegas wrapped up her Olympic debut with a bronze medal as she endured a unanimous decision loss to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the Paris Olympics women’s 50-kg boxing semifinals at the Roland Garros Stadium, Aug. 7.

Though she fell short in reaching the final, the 28-year-old pride of Tacloban showed no signs of disappointment and hopes Filipinos will celebrate her bronze finish with pride.

“Hindi naman po ako super disappointed, kasi ginawa ko yung best ko. Sa lahat ng Pilipino na napuyat, sorry. Nakapag-uwi po ako ng medal, sana proud pa rin kayo sa’kin,” Villegas shared in an interview with One Sports.

Villegas also admitted that despite her best efforts, her opponent was simply exceptional in the sport.

A former World Champion and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Turkey's Cakiroglu was simply too dominant for Villegas, winning convincingly with scores of 30-26, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.

Before reaching the semifinals, Villegas took down Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki and Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam with unanimous decisions, and clinched a split decision win over France’s Wassila Lkhadiri.

Her stint in the semifinals boosted the Philippines’ medal count at the 2024 Olympics, adding a bronze to the two elusive golds snagged by the decorated gymnast Carlos Yulo.

Villegas will not go home empty-handed despite missing out on the title as she will receive a P2 million cash incentive from the government under Republic Act No. 10699, along with additional perks from government officials and other sponsors, similar to those given to Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial for his Tokyo bronze.

Reflecting on her inaugural Olympic campaign, Villegas took pride in both her past self, who worked hard to reach Paris, and her future self, who will continue striving for success.

“Sa younger self ko I know that you are already proud of me,” Villegas said. “To my future self, mas lalo ka pa magiging proud. Gagawin ko [ang lahat para sa] pangarap ko na bago man lang mag-retire sa boxing, patutugtugan ako ng national anthem ng bansa natin sa Olympics.”

Villegas hoped her first Olympic appearance would not be her last, believing that her hard-earned bronze and dedication would open the door to more opportunities and future successes.