Olympic boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas is eyeing another trip to the Olympics as she still wants to get a gold medal.
Villegas settled for bronze in the women’s 50kg event as she fell to Turkish boxer Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In an Unang Hirit interview on Friday, Villegas said she remains focused on winning an Olympic gold as she plans to compete again in the Summer Games in Los Angeles in four years time.
“Aware po ako na that I am a medalist pero hindi ko pa po siya ramdam. Nandoon pa rin ako sa focus. The goal is to get that gold,” Villegas said.
The sport of boxing, however, needs to have an organization accredited by the International Olympic Committee to be included in the Los Angeles Olympics programme.
Meanwhile, Villegas returned to her hometown Tacloban City on Thursday where she was warmly welcomed as well.
“Sobrang happy po kasi grabe ang support ng mga kababayan ko. Kahit mga bata po, grabe makikita ko sa daan, kahit umuulan, lumalabas sila ng bahay,” Villegas said. “Thankful and blessed po ako sa lahat ng sumuporta sa akin, hindi lang sa akin, pati sa lahat ng atleta.”
Villegas and the other Philippine Olympians had a heroes’ parade last week in Manila as they returned to the country from their campaign in Paris.
Villegas and fellow boxer Nesthy Petecio bagged bronze medals in the Paris Games, while Carlos Yulo won two gold medals in men’s gymnastics.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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