Olympics: Boxer Aira Villegas’ birthday wish? A medal for Team Philippines

Team Philippines’ Aira Villegas (in red) hugs Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam after defeating her in their women’s 50kg preliminary boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, on Aug 1, 2024, in Paris. - AP

MANILA: What better way for Team Philippines boxer Aira Villegas to celebrate her birthday on Thursday (Aug 1) than moving closer to an assured medal in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Fighting in the round 16 of the women’s 50kg on the day of her birthday, Villegas notched a stunning win over second-seeded Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria that secured her passage to the quarterfinals.