President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his immense pride for Filipina boxer Aira Villegas after settling a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics at Stade Roland Garros on early Wednesday, August 7.
The Pinay boxer was defeated by her Turkish flyweight opponent Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semifinals of the women's 50kg category.
"Congratulations, Aira! That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas. Thank you for bringing home the bronze. ππ’π£πΆπ©π’πΊ π¬π’! ," the President wrote in a social media post.
Similarly, First Lady Liza Marcos also went on social media to greet Villegas and acknowledge Filipino women's power.
"PINAYS 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!" she wrote.
Villegas' achievement brings the Philippines' medal count to three, with two golds previously earned by gymnast Carlos Yulo.
Looking ahead, Nesthy Petecio will compete in the women’s 57kg semifinals on Friday (Manila time) against Poland’s Julia Szeremeta, aiming to secure at least a silver medal.
Petecio, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, remains the last Filipino boxer in contention, following early exits by Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam.
