PINOY BOXING 20: AIRA VILLEGAS, ANOTHER LADY 2024 PARIS OLYMPIAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Jun 2024
Aira Villegas is a southpaw amateur boxer who comes from Tacloban City. She has competed in at least two tournaments of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in the 52kg division. For the 2022 competition in Turkey, she was forced to move down to the 50kg division after her previous weight category was cancelled.
In 2021, Villegas was chosen by the Philippine Olympic Committee to the Olympics Solidarity Scholarship Grant by the International Olympic Committee.
She has also participated at the Asian Games which in September 2023 held in Hangzhou, China. Villegas is also a 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist.
Villegas qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, by winning the quota bouts round, in the women's flyweight division, at the 2024 1st World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
“It is my dream to compete and represent our country in the Olympics,” Villegas, 28, was quoted by PNA News. She booked a ticket to Paris with a 5-0 win over Bulgaria's Zlatislava Chukanova in the 50kg quarterfinals of the tournament on March 12.
Villegas acknowledged her elder brother, Rominick, for acquainting her with the sport of boxing. Rominick was a scholar-trainee of the Leyte Sports Academy, the provincial government-managed sports institute. He is now the coach of the school’s boxing team.
Villegas said she has been a member of the national boxing team since 2012, winning 29 of her 45 bouts so far.
Paris Olympics will be held next month and Villegas said she trained even harder than ever and is targeting no less than the gold medal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Wed, 25 Feb 2026