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Tag: Aira Villegas

  • Philippine boxing boosts Asian Games preparations with overseas training 

    Philippine boxing boosts Asian Games preparations with overseas training 

    The Philippine boxing team is leaving little to chance in its bid to reclaim the top of the Asian Games podium.

     

    With the 2026 Asian Games set for September 21 to October 2 in Aichi, Japan, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) has lined up an extensive two-phase overseas training program, believing thorough preparation will be key to ending the country’s 16-year wait for an Asian Games boxing gold medal.

     

    “That’s our goal, of course,” Manalo said.

     

    The Philippines has not produced an Asian Games boxing champion since Rey Saludar captured the flyweight gold medal in Foshan, China in 2010. Since then, the country has come close but has fallen just short of returning to the top step of the podium.

     

    The closest finishes came through Charly Suarez, who settled for silver in the lightweight division at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. 

     

    Rogen Ladon duplicated the feat in the flyweight class at the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia, before Eumir Marcial added another silver in the middleweight division during the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, China.

     

    Determined to rewrite that narrative, ABAP has arranged a pair of international training camps before the continental meet begins.

     

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    “We are participating in the pre-Asian Games training camp arranged by Asian Boxing, which has two phases,” said Manalo referring to the first one in Bangkok, Thailand, and the other in Nishio City, Japan from next month to September.

     

    The overseas camps are expected to give the national boxers valuable opportunities to spar against some of Asia’s top fighters while allowing them to acclimatize ahead of the Games in Japan.

     

    Leading the Philippine campaign will be a battle-tested core composed of Olympic medalists Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Aira Villegas, all of whom are expected to spearhead the country’s quest for podium finishes in Aichi.

     

    Marcial, in particular, will now devote his full attention to the national team after the planned undercard appearance in the postponed Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather event was put on hold.

     

    “Even prior to the postponement, he has committed for the Asian Games,” said Manalo.

     

    The presence of four Olympic medalists gives the Philippines one of its deepest boxing contingents in recent memory. 

     

    Petecio and Paalam have consistently delivered on the international stage, Marcial remains one of Asia’s premier middleweights, while Villegas continues to build on her breakthrough Olympic campaign as she prepares for another major test.

     

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  • Olympic boxing medalists lead ABAP’s charge for Asian Games redemption in Nagoya 

    Olympic boxing medalists lead ABAP’s charge for Asian Games redemption in Nagoya 

    Experience will be at the heart of the Philippine boxing team’s campaign in the 20th Asian Games as the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) turns to its Olympic medalists to lead the country’s bid for podium finishes in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4. 

     

    Leading the Philippine boxing team for the September 19 to October 4 continental meet in Nagoya, Japan are Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, and Aira Villegas, whom ABAP believes possess the experience needed to contend against Asia’s best.

     

    For ABAP president Marcus Manalo, the Asian Games is not a tournament for athletes who are still learning the ropes. Instead, it is a competition reserved for boxers who have already proven they can compete on the international stage.

     

    “You’re there to get to the podium, to win medals, kung developmental ka pa hindi Asian Games ‘yong exposure, dapat ‘yong competition exposure ide-depende mo rin sa (competition level) ng athlete,” he added.

     

    Manalo stressed that earning a place on the national team requires meeting a high competitive standard rather than simply gaining experience.

     

    “Sa amin kasi you have to be at a specific level before you get to compete in the Asian Game. Sinasabi ko sa mga coaches ‘yong Asian Games hindi ‘yan pwedeng pang-exposure,” said Manalo.

     

    That philosophy explains why the federation is leaning on proven performers with Olympic success.

     

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    Petecio headlines the squad after becoming the first Filipina boxer to win an Olympic medal when she captured silver at the Tokyo Olympics before adding a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

     

    Although the 34-year-old is still recovering from eye surgery following an injury, ABAP remains confident she will be ready in time for Nagoya.

     

    “May mga restrictions pa, pero she’s been preparing for the Asian Games, so, I think we’re going to get clearance naman kasi may several months pa naman,” Manalo said.

     

    Joining Petecio are Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas, giving the Philippines one of its most experienced boxing lineups in recent years.

     

    ABAP is also exploring the possibility of adding professional boxer Weljon Mindoro as it seeks to field a deeper and more competitive delegation capable of challenging for multiple medals.

     

    While the federation continues to develop its younger talents, Manalo believes exposing them too early to one of Asia’s toughest sporting events could do more harm than good.

     

    “Mayroon naman tayo mga up-and-coming pero ‘yong Asian Games, it could be overwhelming rin din kasi for them, not all experience is good experience sa gantong level,” he added.

     

    Instead, ABAP plans to continue giving its emerging boxers international exposure through other competitions before entrusting them with the demands of the Asian Games.

     

    With a roster built around Olympic-tested veterans, the Philippine boxing federation is aiming to turn lessons from Hangzhou into a stronger medal campaign in Nagoya.

     

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  • Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    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.

    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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  • Olympic Day 2026 brings Larry Fonacier, Carlo Paalam, Aira Villegas to inspire over 500 Tagaytay students

    Olympic Day 2026 brings Larry Fonacier, Carlo Paalam, Aira Villegas to inspire over 500 Tagaytay students

    The future of Philippine sports took center stage in Tagaytay as Olympic Day 2026 transformed the CT Velodrome into a training ground for young athletes dreaming of representing the country someday.


    Former Gilas Pilipinas standout Larry Fonacier, along with Olympic medalists Carlo Paalam and Aira Villegas, shared their knowledge and experience with the next generation during the celebration held on June 23.

     

    The event, organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), brought together more than 500 students from three Tagaytay City schools, giving children a chance to experience different sports while learning from some of the country’s top athletes.

     

    Maharlika Elementary School led the participation with 207 students, followed by Carlos S. Batino, Sr. Memorial Elementary School with 175 pupils and Mendez Crossing Elementary School with 131 participants.

     

    The young athletes took part in clinics covering boxing, basketball, football, baseball, taekwondo, and wrestling, with national sports association officials and coaches guiding them throughout the activities at the world-class venue.

     

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    Paalam and Villegas focused on sharing their boxing expertise, while Fonacier helped develop aspiring basketball players as part of the event’s grassroots development program.

     

    POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino emphasized that Olympic Day is more than just a celebration, it is an opportunity to inspire young Filipinos and discover future national team athletes.

     

    “This is a very important date in the Olympic Movement as we celebrate this day when Olympism and the Olympic Games were founded in 1894. It’s a day of fun and sports as we join the whole world in celebrating this day,” Tolentino said.

     

    For Tolentino, introducing sports to children at an early age could play a key role in building the country’s future international success.

     

    “It is with hope that exposing our young students to sports, we can not just encourage more youth to play sports, but we can also discover new talents who we fervently hope could add to the Olympic golds of the Philippines,” he said.

     

    The celebration was attended by several sports leaders, including Philippine Boxing Federation president Marcus Manalo, Wrestling Association of the Philippines president Ali Sulit, Philippine Karatedo Federation president Ricky Lim, and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines chairman Atty. Wharton Chan.

     

    The annual Olympic Day observance, recognized by the International Olympic Committee every June 23, continues a tradition that began in 1948. It serves as a reminder of the Olympic Movement’s values of excellence, friendship, and respect while encouraging people around the world to stay active through sports.

     

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