2024 PARIS OLYMPICS 5: AIRA VILLEGAS ADVANCES TO THE QUARTERFINALS IN WOMEN'S BOXING 50 KG DIVISION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Aug 2024
Aira Villegas utilized her marvelous speed in upsetting No. 2 seed Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria to advance to the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg boxing tournament in the Paris Olympics on Friday.
It was her 29th birthday and Villegas, as a fitting gift, scored a unanimous decision victory over Boualam. She advanced together with Tokyo silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam as the only three Filipino boxers who are fighting for medals in the Games.
Villegas will fight Wassilia Lkhadiri of France on August 4 in the quarterfinals. Petecio will tangle with first-time Olympian Amina Zidani of France on August 3. Paalam will face fourth seed Charlie Senior of Australia also on Saturday, August 3, for a spot in the semifinals.
* * *
Kyla Sanchez made her debut for the Philippines in the women's 100m freestyle, placing fourth in her heats to advance to the next round. However, the Fil-Canadian swimmer placed 15th in the semifinals, while only the top eight would advance to the finals.
* * *
Joanie Delgaco finished in the 20th spot in the overall ranking of the women’s single sculls category in rowing. The volleyball player-turned-rower reached the quarterfinals via the repechage. Delgaco was the first female Filipina rower to compete in the Olympics.
* * *
Team USA never let South Sudan take the lead from the opening tip until final buzzer to a score a 103-86 win and improved it's record to 2-0 in the men’s basketball competition of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, July 31 (Thursday, August 1, Manila time).
Bam Adebayo led the Americans with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks as Team USA won easily after defeating South Sudan by only one point during their exhibition game.
Five other players scored in double figures for the USA, with Kevin Durant firing 14 points, Anthony Edwards 13, LeBron James 12, and Devin Booker and Derrick White contributing 10 points each. The win secured the Americans a spot in the quarterfinals.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 2026Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Mar 2026Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
Wed, 04 Mar 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
Wed, 04 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
Tue, 03 Mar 2026STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
Mon, 02 Mar 2026