Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu and The Philippines’ Aira Villegas (Blue) compete within the girls’s 50kg semi-final boxing match through the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games on the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 6, 2024. (Picture by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)
Don’t get her mistaken, however Aira Villegas isn’t completely glad along with her feat within the Paris Olympics.
“I’m conscious that I’m a bronze medalist. However in my thoughts, I don’t really feel prefer it,’’ mentioned Villegas in Filipino.
Villegas admitted that she by no means doubted her potential to emerge on the prime of the ladder within the 50-kilogram division of ladies’s Olympic boxing, but, the bungled probability has saved the 29-year-old delight of Tacloban Metropolis brimming with hope.
“I wasn’t capable of get the gold, so I would like to achieve my purpose,’’ mentioned Villegas regardless of the peril of boxing being excluded from this system of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for good.
Rewards got here drizzling down on Villegas for reaching the rostrum on the grandest stage with money bonuses from each the federal government and the personal sector upon her arrival with Paris medalists, two-time gold winner Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, and fellow boxer Nesthy Petecio final week.
Villegas obtained P2 million from the federal government beneath Republic Act No. 10699 often known as the Athletes and Coaches Advantages and Incentives Act plus one other P2 million from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
She bought to extend her wealth practically twice by receiving P2.5 million from the Home of Representatives and one other million from the Senate.
“I’m grateful for all of the blessings, however I need to proceed working to perform my actual purpose,’’ mentioned Villegas, who mentioned that she was bothered by numerous accidents previous to Paris and needed to endure them on her journey to the medal rounds.
Villegas defeated Morocco’s Yasmine Moutaqui, Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam and hometown guess Wassila Lkhadiri within the quarterfinals earlier than dropping the semifinal bout reverse a vastly skilled Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkiye, finally dissolving her golden dream.
Villegas sucked within the results of a hurting shoulder, a light ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) sprain and a piercing ache on her left foot that saved her out of the ring for a few month earlier than the Olympics.
“It’s an enormous competitors and I do know that this may very well be life-changing, so I centered extra on getting a medal,’’ mentioned Villegas.
Observe Inquirer Sports activities’ particular protection of the Paris Olympics 2024.