Paris Olympics: Petecio ends stint with a bronze

NESTHY Petecio’s hopes of improving on her last Olympic performance were dashed earlier than expected when she was stunned in the women’s 57kg event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

At Roland-Garros Stadium, the top-bet Filipina fighter failed to advance to the finals after losing 4-1 via split decision to Poland’s 20-year-old Julia Szeremeta. 

Photo Courtesy: AFP

Petecio was heavily favored to win the match, but he struggled against Szeremeta, who recovered from a slow start and outworked the veteran in the key second and third rounds.

Not the usual Petecio

Petecio appeared to be out of character during the match, in comparison to her past performances. The first round was the finest round for the Filipino boxer. 

All five judges gave the 32-year-old a thumbs up after a strong first round. Petecio’s lack of aggression in the second and third rounds cost her the most important match of the Summer Games.

Szeremeta made a big comeback in the second, staying out of range and scoring with her right hook. The Polish boxer won four of the five scorecards, putting the bout on the line. 

Photo Courtesy: AFP

Petecio attempted a torrent of punches in the last round. However, this was insufficient to swing the contest back in her favor, as all of the judges were convinced and voted for her opponent. 

The Polish boxer will now face Chinese Taipei’s top seed, Lin Yu Ting, in the gold medal bout. Lin is one of two boxers involved in a gender dispute at the Paris Olympics, along with Algeria’s Imane Khelif.

Memorable Summer Games

Petecio will leave the 2024 Paris Olympics with a bronze medal, Team Philippines’ fourth medal, following Carlos Yulo’s two golds and Aira Villegas’ bronze in women’s boxing. 

Petecio became the first female boxer in Philippine history to win an Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021. In the finals, she was defeated by Sena Irie of Japan, who won unanimously.

“Sobrang proud po ako na hanggang ngayon lumalaban ako para sa bayan, sa pamilya, sa pangarap, and sa pangarap ko na ginto,” says Petecio, who’s still proud of her performance despite the loss.

“Akala ko akin na ‘to this time, sobrang grabe ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya, pero medyo hindi tayo pinalad ngayong gabi sa panalo. Pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako kay lord kasi maganda ‘yung pinakita ko.”

Nonetheless, it was a JAB-well-done for the Filipina fighter, who fought her way through every match she faced. Petecio may have underperformed in comparison to her past performance, but Filipinos will definitely continue to be proud of her.