Aira Villegas Advances in Olympic Boxing, Keeps Philippine Medal Hopes Alive

PARIS – Aira Villegas propelled the Philippines’ Olympic medal ambitions forward with a decisive victory in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.

According to Philippines News Agency, Villegas marked her 29th birthday on August 1 by defeating Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria by unanimous decision in the 50kg category. Her next bout is scheduled against France’s Wassila Lkhadiri on Saturday at 3:20 a.m. Philippine time. Fellow Philippine boxers, Nesthy Petecio in the women’s 57kg and Carlo Paalam in the men’s 57kg, are also slated for their quarterfinal matches, with victories ensuring at least a bronze medal for each.

Meanwhile, swimmer Jarod Hatch is set to compete in the men’s 100m butterfly heats later in the day, starting from 5 p.m. The current medal tally sees China leading, followed closely by the United States and France. As of now, no Southeast Asian nation has made it onto the medal table.