MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called Filipina boxer Aira Villegas an “inspiration to young Filipinas” following her bronze finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“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 Facebook post.
Marcos also expressed gratitude to Villegas for bringing home the bronze medal in the women’s 50 kg boxing division.
She ended her gold bid after bowing against Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in a unanimous decision.
In a separate post, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos likewise congratulated the Filipina boxer and said women boxers, particularly 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!” Araneta-Marcos said.
The Filipina boxer also expressed her gratitude to all the Filipino supporters who joined the rally online to support her fight, saying she hopes her countrymen are proud of her still with her bronze medal.
“Nakapag-uwi po ako ng medalya, sana po proud pa rin po kayo sa akin,” Villegas said in an interview.
Villegas added the third medal for the country after gymnast Carlos Yulo bagged two gold medals in the same olympics.
