The Philippines’ Aira Villegas celebrates after winning against Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki in the women’s 50kg preliminaries round of 32 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 28, 2024. On Wednesday, Aug. 7, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Villegas for what he called a “knockout performance” in her Olympic debut that led to a bronze medal. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday congratulated Aira Villegas for what he called a “knockout performance” in her Olympic debut that led to a bronze medal.
“Congratulations, Aira!” Marcos said in a post on Instagram. “That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas.”
READ: Aira Villegas takes home boxing bronze after semifinals loss
“Thank you for bringing home the bronze, Mabuhay ka!”
Villegas clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 50kg boxing semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the second Filipino to get a podium finish.
READ: Marcos on Yulo’s win: ‘We’ve witnessed history’
The Olympic pugilist’s bronze medal is the third medal for the Philippines after gymnast Carlos Adriel Yulo’s two gold medals.
At least a silver medal is also expected from boxer Nesthy Petecio when she fights in the semifinals of the women’s 57kg division on Friday, August 9.
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