Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio carved out a 5-0 victory over Maria Claudia Nechita of Romania in their 57-kilogram match Thursday to make the Round-of-16 in the 2024 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
Petecio, unlike the other fighters vying for slots to the 2024 Paris Olympics, has to make it to the gold medal bout to secure an Olympic ticket.
In the other weight classes, the minimum requirement to earn a berth is a semifinal stint.
Next up for Petecio, 31, is Germany’s Nancy Canan Tas.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, who is with the team in Italy, told DAILY TRIBUNE that Petecio has what it takes to earn her spot for the Paris Games.
“Nesthy seems to be in good form in her first two bouts as she was able to dominate and put both opponents on the canvas. She has the toughest task here because there are only two Olympic quotas available in her weight class in this tournament but she is very capable of getting it done,” Manalo said in an online conversation.
Unfortunately, Petecio was the only winner on that day as four Filipino boxers saw their Olympic dreams come to an end.
John Marvin saw his campaign end after a 3-2 split decision defeat against Kevin Kuadjovi of Togo in the Round-of-32 of men’s 92-kg division while Mark Ashley Fajardo also absorbed a similar 3-2 decision in the 63.5-kg division against Jose Manuel Viafara of Colombia.
In the men’s 71-kg, Ronald Chavez Jr. lost to Zeyad Eashash of Jordan via a referee stopped contest after referee Shaw Kale Reese of the United States stopped the fight in the second round of their Round-of-32 clash.
In the women’s 54-kg, Claudine Veloso suffered a 0-5 loss to Mikoto Harada of Japan in another Round-of-32 duel.
Adding Riza Pasuit (women’s 60-kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75-kg), six out of the 10-man team have been eliminated from the tournament.
Manalo was left feeling puzzled on Fajardo’s fate as the 19-year-old pug was able to land his punches and even knocked down Viafara in the second round.
With Ladon in the Last 16 and Petecio, Carlo Paalam (men’s 57-kg) and Aira Villegas (women’s 50-kg) competing as of press time, Manalo is optimistic the Filipinos will be able to get their slots for the Olympics.
The second Olympic qualifying happens in late-May to early-June in Bangkok.
