Nesthy Petecio is still on cloud nine following her victorious stint in the 2024 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Busto Arsizio in Italy recently.
In a radio interview, the 31-year-old Petecio said she had to dig deep into her bag of tricks and muster her remaining strength to overcome a game Esra Yildiz Kahraman of Turkey in the semifinals of the women’s 57-kilogram division.
With the win, Petecio made a return to the Olympics in Paris, giving her a golden chance to finally a win the gold medal that eluded her in Tokyo three years ago.
“Of course, I feel blessed. I never thought I was able to get to the Olympics again,” said Petecio, who fell prey to Sena Irie of Japan in the final of the women’s 57-kg event of the Tokyo Olympics.
She said she was already exhausted in the third round but she gave everything she can just to win her bout against her powerful Turkish foe and book a ticket to the City of Light, where the Summer Games will open on 26 July.
“In the third round, I was already gassed out. My opponent was already giving me body shots and my legs felt tired in the last round,” she said.
“Me and the coaches planned to take the first and second round of the match.”
Aside from Petecio, also competing in the Olympics for the vaunted national boxing squad are Aira Villegas and Eumir Marcial.
Villegas punched a ticket to the Olympics when she advanced to the semis of the women’s 50-kg event while Marcial booked his slot after clinching the silver medal n the 80-kg event of the 19th Asian Games last year.
Two more former Olympians in Rogen Ladon and Carlo Paalam will be shooting for Olympic slots when they compete in the 2024 2nd World Olympic Boxing Qualifying in Bangkok this May.
Petecio said the ticket to Paris truly means a lot to her.
“I got this ticket for so many people, especially my family, to God, and for our former president who passed away, and for my partner in life Riza Geneblaza,” Petecio said.
“Before (the tournament), I promised her that I would win the ticket to Paris and finally this is it! I’m so happy.”
