Philippine boxing standout Aira Villegas continues to earn widespread respect following her impressive bronze-medal finish in her Olympic debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Her breakthrough performance marked one of the standout achievements for Team Philippines, solidifying her status as one of the country’s rising stars in elite boxing.
However, the Olympic medalist has since been sidelined from competition as she deals with health concerns outside the ring. Villegas has been battling severe allergies that at one point became serious enough to require emergency medical attention, temporarily halting her training and competition schedule.
“Na ER (emergency room) ako, nagsabay-sabay allergies ko,” Villegas said in a media interaction.
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The 30-year-old boxer revealed that she has recently developed a new suspected allergy to mushrooms, although medical professionals are still in the process of confirming the exact cause. The recurring allergic reactions have significantly affected her availability for international competitions, including her absence from recent tournaments in Europe where she was originally scheduled to compete as part of Team Philippines’ overseas campaign.
Despite the setback, Villegas remains focused on recovery and is determined to return to full competitive form ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan.
Here’s a brief chat with Paris boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas. She’s fighting allergies for now before she returns to training for the Asian Games in Japan this September. pic.twitter.com/DyUxexmZVY
— Joey Villar (@JoeySVillar) June 25, 2026
She acknowledged that the situation has forced her to be more cautious moving forward, particularly as she prepares to resume training in Baguio City, a key high-altitude training hub for Philippine boxers.
“I’m trying to fix everything so that I would know what to avoid when I get back to training in Baguio next month. I’m competing in the 51 kilogram from 50 kilogram. But I was told we will be having a training camp before the Asian Games. We still don’t know where, but we will have one for sure,” she added.
Villegas also noted that the transition to a new weight class will be part of her long-term preparation strategy as she continues building strength and adjusting her conditioning program for future international competitions.
Her coaching team and national boxing officials remain optimistic about her recovery timeline, emphasizing that her Olympic experience and proven resilience make her a strong candidate for future podium finishes despite recent health setbacks.
As preparations continue for the Asian Games, Villegas is expected to gradually reintegrate into full training once her medical condition stabilizes, with the goal of regaining peak form in time for one of the biggest sporting events in Asia.
For Team Philippines, her return will be a welcome boost as the boxing program looks to build on its strong Olympic showing and translate that momentum into success on the continental stage in Japan.
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