Here’s a recap of Team Philippines’ highlights at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Tacloban-based boxer Aira Villegas secured the Philippines’ third medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, earning a bronze in the women’s 50kg boxing category. Villegas showcased her skills in a match against Türkiye’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu, ultimately falling short via unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26 in favour of Cakiroglu.

Cakiroglu took control early, leading the bout from the first round and delivering a decisive standing eight count that set the tone for Villegas’ challenging match. Despite Villegas landing several powerful punches in the second round, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide against her formidable opponent. 

Nevertheless, earning a medal on her Olympic debut marks a significant achievement for the Filipina, highlighting her potential and determination on the world stage.

Related: Filipina boxer Aira Villegas makes a historic Olympic debut by earning bronze medal

By securing a bronze medal at the Paris Games after a hard-fought match against Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the women’s 57kg semifinals, Nesthy Petecio became the first Filipino boxer to win multiple Olympic medals. She joins an exclusive club of multiple Olympic medallists from the Philippines, which includes late swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and gymnast Carlos Yulo.

Petecio is the Philippines’ first female boxer to win an Olympic medal when she took home silver at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Read more: Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio gains Olympic bronze medal in Paris

EJ Obiena narrowly missed a podium finish in the men’s pole vault final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Having sailed through heights of 5.50 to 5.90 metres with impressive ease, Obiena faced a challenge at 5.95 metres, where he struggled to fully clear the bar.

“I first want to say thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, and believed in me. Fourth place is painful, to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps fourth is the harshest place to be,” Obiena says. “I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium.”

More from Tatler: EJ Obiena leaps ahead of Tokyo finish despite missing podium in Paris 2024 Olympics

No other Filipino fencer competed in the Olympics since Walter Torres’s 1992 Barcelona stint. Fast forward to this year, and the country is in the game anew, with athlete Samantha “Sam” Catantan breaking the drought.

Catantan’s Paris 2024 Olympic journey began with a thrilling victory over Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia in the Round of 64. Her succeeding game against the World’s No. 2 fencer, Arianna Errigo from Italy, proved to be a bigger challenge, with the Filipina bowing with 15-12.

“This sport has given me the best the world could offer, bringing me a unique joy whenever I am on the strip fencing for the Philippines. However, sometimes things may not go as planned. Unfortunately, I re-tore my ACL and need to take some time off the strip again. Despite this, I feel beyond blessed and grateful for all His grace,” she says. “I know I can do it, and I will do it again.”

Related: Who is Samantha Catantan? Get to know the Philippines representative fencer at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Joanie Delgaco’s qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics marks the first time a Filipina rower has booked a place on the biggest sporting stage—a monumental moment for both the athlete and the Philippines.

Delgaco performed strongly, finishing as the 20th-best rower at the Summer Games. “I’m so happy because I gave my best. I don’t regret anything from my races,” she says.

In addition to her impressive performance, Delgaco revealed that she has been awarded an Olympic Solidarity scholarship for her exemplary efforts in Paris.

In her return to the Olympic stage, Elreen Ando achieved personal bests but fell just short of the podium in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She placed sixth.

Ando lifted 230kg overall, setting personal records with 100kg in the snatch and 130kg in the clean and jerk. Despite the heavy load on her shoulders, the 25-year-old is proud to have represented the Philippines.

Filipina golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina delivered outstanding performances in the fourth and final round of the women’s individual stroke play at Le Golf National, persevering despite the controversies surrounding the lack of support they received.

Despite finishing in fourth place, just one spot shy of a historic medal for the Philippines, Pagdanganan achieved the highest-ever ranking by a Filipino golfer in the Olympics. Her performance surpassed the ninth-place finish of former teammate Yuka Saso at Tokyo three years ago.

“I gave it my all, I gave myself all the opportunities that I could, I saved a lot of shots, and I’m really proud of how I performed today,” Pagdanganan shares.

Meanwhile, Ardina also delivered a commendable performance, finishing in 13th place with a total score of 285. “I just treasured every moment out there. I enjoyed myself, and I’m very proud to represent the Philippines,” she says.

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