Nesthy Petecio has clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg boxing division at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a remarkable achievement that adds to her silver medal from the Tokyo Games in 2020. Her consistent performance on the global stage highlights her exceptional talent and determination, ranking her as one of the world’s top boxers.
A Hard-Fought Semifinal Battle
Petecio’s journey to the bronze medal was defined by a dramatic semifinal clash with Poland’s Julia Szeremeta. Petecio began with a powerful performance, landing aggressive punches that put Szeremeta on the defensive early on. However, as the match progressed, Petecio seemed to tire in the final two rounds, giving Szeremeta the opportunity to secure a place in the gold medal bout.
After the semifinal loss, Petecio expressed her confusion and disappointment. “Sobrang labo. ’Yon yung nakikita nila e so wala na tayong magagawa po. Wala siyang clear punches sa third round, tapos body shots and hooks ko kumonek. Ewan ko, di ko pa alam ano nangyari,” she told One Sports. Petecio also mentioned feeling cautioned by the referee, saying, “Lagi akong nako-caution ng referee. ‘Di ko alam kung bakit, ‘di ko alam ano ‘yong nakikita nilang side. Sila na ‘yon at nirerespeto ko ‘yon.”
Despite her frustration, Petecio remains grateful for the opportunity and the support she received. “Akala ko akin na ‘to this time. Sobrang grabe ‘yong tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya pero ‘yon nga, ‘di tayo pinalad ngayong gabi ng panalo pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako kay Lord kasi maganda yung pinakita ko,” she stated.
National Pride and Presidential Praise
In spite of that, Petecio's success has sparked widespread celebration in the Philippines. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. publicly praised her, stating, “Congratulations, Nesthy! Thank you for bringing home the bronze medal for the Philippines. You’ve truly shown the world how Filipinos never back down from a challenge. The whole country is proud of you! Taas kamao, para sa boxingerong Pilipino.”
