| |
|
PINOY BOXING 20: AIRA VILLEGAS, ANOTHER LADY 2024 PARIS OLYMPIAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Jun 2024
Aira Villegas is a southpaw amateur boxer who comes from Tacloban City. She has competed in at least two tournaments of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in the 52kg division. For the 2022 competition in Turkey, she was forced to move down to the 50kg division after her previous weight category was cancelled.
In 2021, Villegas was chosen by the Philippine Olympic Committee to the Olympics Solidarity Scholarship Grant by the International Olympic Committee.
She has also participated at the Asian Games which in September 2023 held in Hangzhou, China. Villegas is also a 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist.
Villegas qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, by winning the quota bouts round, in the women's flyweight division, at the 2024 1st World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
“It is my dream to compete and represent our country in the Olympics,” Villegas, 28, was quoted by PNA News. She booked a ticket to Paris with a 5-0 win over Bulgaria's Zlatislava Chukanova in the 50kg quarterfinals of the tournament on March 12.
Villegas acknowledged her elder brother, Rominick, for acquainting her with the sport of boxing. Rominick was a scholar-trainee of the Leyte Sports Academy, the provincial government-managed sports institute. He is now the coach of the school’s boxing team.
Villegas said she has been a member of the national boxing team since 2012, winning 29 of her 45 bouts so far.
Paris Olympics will be held next month and Villegas said she trained even harder than ever and is targeting no less than the gold medal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
, Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
, Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
, Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
, Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
, Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
, Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
, Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
