Asian Games: Filipina Olympian Aira Villegas exits early after falling to Indian foe in boxing opener - GMA Network

Filipina boxer Aira Villegas failed to shake off the ghosts of the past as the Paris Olympics bronze medalist made another early Asian Games exit on Tuesday at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan.

READ MORE | LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games — Sept. 22 | Jean Claude Saclag, Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3, PMNFT U23, other sports

The 31-year-old Villegas dropped a unanimous 5-0 decision to India’s 26-year-old star Sakshi in the women's 51kg division, ending her campaign in the opening round and sending the Indian bet through to the Round of 16.

It marked a repeat of Villegas’ fate in the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where she also suffered an opening-round defeat, then at the hands of Mongolia’s Oyuntsetsegiin Yesugen.

Sakshi swept all three rounds, with four of the five judges scoring the bout 30-27 in her favor, while the remaining judge handed her a 30-26 verdict.