AFTER a dominating win, Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio has advanced to the semifinal round of the 2024 Paris Olympics’ women’s 57kg boxing event, where she is assured at least a bronze medal.
The Philippine boxing team is now guaranteed two bronze medals, as Aira Villegas advanced to the semifinals in the 50kg division with a dominant victory against home favourite Wassila Lkhadiri.
However, none of these Filipina fighters intends to leave early. Petecio and Villegas are equally focused on winning the gold medal, now that the opportunity landed straight on their laps.
History was made
Petecio consistently outperformed her Chinese opponent. She took a step back in the last round, but still won three of the five judges, resulting in a final score of 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
The 32-year-old is the third member of the Philippine Centennial Team to reach the podium at this year’s Olympic Games, following Villegas and Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in only a few hours.
Petecio has not only guaranteed herself a medal, but has also cemented her position in Philippine athletic history, joining Hidilyn Diaz as the only Filipina with two Olympic medals.
Aside from them, swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso earned two bronze medals in the 1932 Los Angeles Games, while Yulo’s two gold medals set a record for multiple Olympic medals.
Golden mindest
The Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur native, has history on her side, is not giving up on her dream of winning a well-deserved gold medal for the Philippines.
“Walang hinto, hanggat walang ginto, so dalawa nalang. Hopefully makuha natin this time,” says Petecio, who is focusing on her hopes of winning gold this time after taking silver at the Tokyo Games.
Nonetheless, Petecio expressed gratitude to everyone who has been so supportive of her and the entire boxing squad, particularly her instructors.
“First si God na laging nandiyan, second pamilya ko. Besides that, coaches ko po. Sila ‘yung umaalalay sa amin, at kung wala po sila at ‘yung guidance nila, hindi ko po mararating itong nasaan po ako ngayon,” says Petecio.
“Naniniwala po kasi ako dun sa mga bagay na, kapag ‘yung gustong gusto mong makuha ay hindi binigay ni Lord, may mas magandang purpose po siya. Ito po ‘yung pinakamagandang purpose po ni Lord.”
Represent the team
The boxing team’s three fighters, Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam, all exited early, leaving the two Filipina boxers to carry the baton and represent them effectively.
Villegas will play Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semifinals on August 7 (PH time), while Petecio faces Poland’s Julia Szeremeta, who defeated Puerto Rican Ashleyann Lozada in the quarterfinals.
Petecio and Villegas will both receive silver medals if they win their respective semifinal matches. This might potentially elevate the Philippines’ medal ranking while the Paris Olympics are still ongoing.
