Aira Villegas (Contributed photo)
MASANTOL, Pampanga – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed Filipina boxer Aira Villegas for bagging a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, calling her an inspiration to young Filipinos.
Villegas ends her Olympic run with a bronze medal after a unanimous decision loss to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the women’s 50kg semifinals early Wednesday.
“That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas,” Marcos said in a social media post moments after Villegas' fight.
“Thank you for bringing home the bronze,” he added.
First Lady Liza Marcos also congratulated Villegas, saying that her performance proves that Filipinas “can really pack a punch worthy of an Olympic medal.”
“Congratulations, Aira! You put up a fantastic fight in your Olympic debut. We are all very proud of you and we can’t wait to welcome you home!” the First Lady said in a separate post.
This is the Philippines' third medal in the ongoing Summer Games following gymnast Carlos Yulo’s double-gold medal performance in men’s gymnastics.
AFP proud of PH athletes
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also congratulated all Filipino athletes who proudly represented the country in the ongoing Summer Games.
In a statement late Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the athletes’ dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent have brought immense pride and honor to the Philippines and that the AFP is inspired by "their historic success." (with report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
