TEAM PHILIPPINES’ Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio each made powerful statements in the round of 32 of the Women’s Boxing Tournament, punching tickets to the next stage of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The bouts took place at the North Paris Arena in Paris, France, with Villegas and Petectio competing last July 29 and 31, respectively.

Aira Villegas

Opening the country’s boxing campaign in the Olympiad, Villegas got off to a strong start against Morocco’s Yasmine Moutaqui in the Women’s 50 kg category.

The second round of the match proved particularly challenging for Villegas, as quick attacks from her Moroccan adversary led to an early deficit. Despite the initial setback, the Filipino boxer was quick to recalibrate, stabilizing her performance in the ring moving forward.

With the match hanging in the balance, Villegas unleashed a series of precise and cleaner strikes in the final round. A perfectly timed left hook in the final seconds swayed the decision in her favor, earning the Tacloban native a unanimous victory and a triumphant start to her Olympic debut.

Nesthy Petecio

Amping up Villegas’s momentum in fighting for the tricolor in the Women’s 57 kg, international sensation Nesthy Petecio asserted her combat dexterity after besting India’s Jaismine Lamboria in the round of 32.

In what was a one-sided affair, the Filipino fighter trounced her 5’9” opponent  into advance to the round of 16. Using her shorter height to her advantage, Petecio won the match with aggressive counter-pressure and explosive overhand punches. Following her brilliant display of tactical creativity against a taller opponent, Petecio showed no fear in her second Olympic appearance.

With both athletes heading into the round of 16, Villegas is set to take on second-seeded Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria on August 2, while Petecio seeks to overthrow the host country’s bet, Amina Zidani, on August 3.

Scorecards:
Villegas vs. Moutaqui: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Petecio vs. Lamboria: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28