Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio delivered a 4-1 win over Sthelyne Grosy of France in the women’s -57-kilogram division to advance to the semifinal of the 2024 Boxam Elite Tournament in La Nucia, Spain on Thursday.
Petecio, who is gunning for a slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is set to face Ana Marija Milisic of Switzerland for a chance to make it to the gold medal round.
Unfortunately, Carlo Paalam’s stint in the tournament ended after a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Ewart Andres Marin Hernandez of Cuba in the men’s 57-kg division quarterfinal round.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist joined the likes of Mark Ashley Fajardo (men’s 63.5-kg), Ronaldez Chavez Jr. (men’s 71-kg) and Riza Pasuit (women’s 60-kg), who also fell short in their respective campaigns.
Apart from Petecio, Rogen Ladon in the men’s 51-kg division and Aira Villegas in the women’s 50-kg division are the only Filipino pugs left standing.
Ladon, who competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, will face Mexico’s Ari Bonilla in the semifinal while Villegas will also fight in the semis after a 5-0 win over England’s Kelsey Oakley in the quarterfinal.
This is a buildup for the upcoming 1st World Olympic Qualification Tournament starting 29 February in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
The Filipinos are aiming to join Eumir Marcial, who qualified after taking home a silver medal in the 19th Asian Games last October, to the French capital.
