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Villegas determined to mark 29th birthday in style

Sports | Boxing

Villegas determined to mark 29th birthday in style

By Rey Virgilio Lachica

At A Glance

But as Aira Villegas marks her 29th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 1, she wants a different celebration.

PARIS – Birthdays are always celebrated with sumptuous food with loved ones and dear friends around.

Philippines' Aira Villegas, celebrates after defeating Morocco's Yasmine Mouttaki, in their women's 50kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

But as Aira Villegas marks her 29th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 1, she wants a different celebration.

Her birthday wish is to upset No. 2 seed Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria in the round-of-16 of the women’s 50kg class in the Paris Olympics at the North Paris Arena here.

It’s a tough wish but Villegas is determined to pull it off to make her birthday doubly special.

Their much-awaited match is scheduled at 8 p.m. (2 a.m. Manila time) with the entire PH delegation led by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, chief of mission and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Dicky Bachmann all praying that Villegas’ wish would be granted.

“Wishing her all the best and her wish to beat her rival be granted,” said Bachmann who has been in the lovely French capital early last week to show support and love to PH athletes.

“Since it is her birthday, I am sure, she will be more inspired,” said Tolentino.

Related Tags

Paris 2024 Aira Villegas

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