MANILA, Philippines -- THE one fight that changed Aira Villegas' life.
From selling cashews to working as a parking attendant and doing carwash, the Tacloban-based boxer did everything she could to earn a living and survive for a day.
But fate works in mysterious ways.
With enough patience, grit and perseverance, Villegas removed herself far from her previous life as she made much of her introduction in her first Olympics stint after taking home the bronze medal in the Paris Games.
The 29-year-old pug recalled her experience in the quarterfinals of the women's 57 kg semifinals at the Roland-Garros Stadium as she went against host France's Wassila Lkhadiri.
Knowing that she'd be assured of bronze if she won this match, Villegas made sure to keep her head in the game and shut down the outside noises.
"When I went against France ... I was so focused. I remember when they called France, and I was in the dugout, I heard a very loud cheer. The liaison told me to sit down since her introduction was long, but I said, 'No, I won't sit down.' I can't be down since it is more of a mental game. What I did ... is that I held my head up high," Villegas proudly recalled.
Coach Reynaldo Galido knew that going against France's bet would be tough, and he shared some words of encouragement to fuel up Villegas.
"Before the fight, of course, we already know who we are up to. The game against France would be tough ... but I told Aira, 'Don't think about it, focus on your goal, don't think about the crowd...,'" Galido said.
"This game ... if you get it, it will change your life. Think about your family," he added.
Villegas, powered up by her previous pains and her drive to win, led her to prevail against Lkhadiri.
"Well, we all know that the game was tight since we were 3-2 in the first round, then 2-3 in the second round. So, in the last round, I was nervous as a coach. I held Aira's head, and I said, 'Will you give this round to her?' And she responded, 'No coach, this is mine,'" the coach recalled.
Marcus Jarwin Manalo, secretary general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), shared that they were asked multiple times if Villegas' victory came as a surprise.
"Were we shocked that she got a medal? No. She is an Olympic solidarity scholar, and she's already an Olympic-caliber already. We see her play internationally, and we said it's just a matter of time. So, yes, we know she's ready."
Starting her boxing career in 2012, Villegas proved that with enough patience, dreams could happen.
Villegas will return to her hometown in Tacloban on Thursday to attend the heroes parade organized by the local government unit.
"Yes, I saw it already. People are tagging me about the parade, and what I can tell is that it is very lavish," Villegas said with a smile.
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