The Philippine boxing team won all of its three matches in the 2024 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Friday in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio eked out a 5-0 unanimous decision over Nancy Tas of Germany in the Round of 16 in the women’s 57-kilogram division.
Petecio, 31, needs to make it to the final of her weight division to secure a slot for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
She is set to face off against Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands in the quarterfinal on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam made it to the Round of 16 after a 3-2 split decision over Andrey Bonilla of Mexico in the men’s 57-kg division.
Like Petecio, Paalam is set to continue his Olympic quest on Sunday as he will battle Shukur Ovezov of Turkmenistan.
Aira Villegas is also moving onto the Round of 16 after a 3-2 split decision over Mckenzie Wright of Canada in the women’s 50-kg division.
Petecio, Paalam, Villegas and Rogen Ladon, who are vying in the men’s 51-kg division, are the only remaining members in the 10-man Philippine team vying for a spot in the Paris Summer Games, which begins on 26 July.
If no one qualifies, there will be another chance at making the Paris grade when the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifying goes to Bangkok in late-May.
