Villegas wins bronze in women's flyweight boxing at Paris Olympics

Aira Villegas secured a bronze medal in women's flyweight boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics despite battling multiple injuries.

Villegas, 29, faced significant health challenges including shoulder tendinopathy, a mild ACL sprain, and compartment syndrome in her left foot throughout her training and competition period.

Marcus Jarwin Manalo of ABAP detailed Villegas' medical issues during a PSA Forum on Tuesday, emphasizing the impact of daily rehabilitation that enabled her to compete effectively in Paris.

Despite being sidelined for about a month due to injuries, Villegas won her first two bouts against Yasmine Moutaqui and Roumaysa Boualam before losing to Turkey's Buse Naz Cakuroglu in the semifinals.

Her coach Reynaldo Galido motivated Villegas by highlighting the life-changing impact of winning a quarterfinal match against France's hometown bet Wassila Lkhadiri.

Villegas expressed her determination to continue working towards her ultimate goal of winning an Olympic gold medal, despite uncertainties about boxing's inclusion in future Olympics.