PARIS 2024 BOXING: ALL RESULTS, AS AIRA VILLEGAS TAKES WOMEN’S 50KG BRONZE
Picture by Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images
Aira Villegas of the Philippines has earned bronze in the boxing women’s 50kg at Paris 2024.
Her run was brought to an end at the semi-final stage by Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Türkiye, who progressed to the gold-medal match by unanimous decision.
Villegas faced a tough challenge against second-seed Cakiroglu, who dominated the first round according to all five judges. The Filipina could not get close but only narrowly lost the opening round with much still to play for.
Out of nowhere, Villegas stunned her opponent with a knockdown in the second round, giving her much-needed confidence as she landed some strong punches.
However, it would not be enough to take the second round or get past Cakiroglu. An even third round left Villegas at bay and needing to pull some points back on the scorecard, but it was her Turkish opponent who stayed on top and got the job done.
Despite defeat, Villegas has secured a bronze medal on her Olympic debut. This is the Philippines’ third medal of Paris 2024, as the boxer joins the company of gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the artistic gymnastics competition.
Cakiroglu, silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, progresses to the women’s 50kg gold-medal match on Friday, 9 August.