Aira Villegas proud of achievements as boxer turns 29 in Paris Olympics

Aira Villegas celebrated on Friday (Philippine time) perhaps one of her most memorable birthdays as she punched a ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics boxing event.

Villegas defeated Algeria's Roumaysa Boualam in the women's 50kg Round of 16 on August 1 (Paris time), the day Villegas turned 29 years old.

"Thank you so much sa lahat ng bumati and nag-abang," Villegas told GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano, who is a part of the Philippine Olympic Committee media.

"Sa future self ko po, sobrang proud ako sa 'yo. Sa younger self ko, I hope you are proud of me. And I know you are."

(Thank you to those who greeted and waited [for the match]. To my future self, I am proud of you. To my younger self, I hope you are proud of me. And I know you are.)

Prior to this, Villegas said this is the best birthday present she can give herself.

WATCH: After earning a ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Filipino boxer Aira Villegas, who is also celebrating her birthday today, shares her thoughts as she heads into the quarters to face France’s, Wassila Lkhadiri. (JP Soriano, POC Media) @gmanews pic.twitter.com/qY2m6MXwlX

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) August 1, 2024

Villegas will face French boxer Wassila Lkhadiri in the quarterfinals.

The two boxers competed in the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, but were not able to face each other in the tournament.

Villegas finished in the Round of 32 then, while Lkhadiri finished as one of the bronze medalists.

For the Filipino boxer, she will just focus on the match ahead.

"Hindi tayo kukumpiyansa kasi home country 'to, 'yung crowd sa kanya. Sana fair 'yung judgment na mangyari. Focus pa rin sa mangyayari and sa susunod na makakalaban," she said.

(We will not be complacent because this is her home country, the crowd will side with her. I hope the judgment will be fair. I'll stay focused on what's next and the next competitors.)

Villegas and Lkhadiri will face each other on early Sunday morning.

READ MORE | Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics

—with report from JP Soriano/JKC, GMA Integrated News