Nesthy Petecio, the pride of Davao, has once again etched her name in Philippine sports history. The feisty boxer, who captured the nation’s heart with her silver medal win in the Tokyo Olympics, has now added another feather to her cap by securing a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. This remarkable feat solidifies her status as one of the country’s most accomplished athletes and a true inspiration to aspiring boxers.
With her unwavering determination and exceptional talent, Petecio has brought pride and honor to the Philippines and paved the way for future generations of Filipino athletes.
So, who is Nesthy Petecio, and how did she reach such impressive heights in her career?
It all began when she was an 11-year-old girl who joined a boxing match at the Araw ng Davao in Rizal Park, Davao City. The young athlete hails from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Little did Petecio know that this bout would open a new world of opportunities and accolades for her.
Who could ignore Petecio during this match? She faced a stronger, more experienced male competitor. It was a defining moment that proved that strength knows no gender.
For Petecio and her siblings, boxing began as a means of self-defense. However, as many Filipino families struggled to put food on their tables or access necessities like education, they began to see it as a way to help their family’s financial situation, prompting them to participate in inter-barangay boxing competitions. They were born to Teodoro, a farmer, and Prescilla, a housewife. Their father taught them how to throw and land punches, and Petecio learned the ropes as early as seven.
After winning her match during the Araw ng Davao celebration, Petecio received an endorsement from Celestino Rebamonte to learn under Roel Velasco, the Philippine Women’s Team Coach. By 2007, Petecio competed in the 2007 Smart National Youth and Women’s Boxing Championships, bagging a gold medal and a spot in the national boxing team. It seemed that her career trajectory was undoubtedly moving upward and forward.
Eventually, Petecio competed internationally and saw how her hard work and dedication to her sport paid off. She bagged silver medals at the 2014 AIBA Women’s World Championships and the 2011 and 2013 Southeast Asian Games. The feisty Filipina also landed bronze in the 2012 Asian Championships and a gold medal in the 2015 Indonesia President’s Cup.
Despite her impressive amateur debut, the Filipina boxer’s career faced some bumps on the road. Following several more international contests, Petecio was unable to place on the podium at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014 and the Asian Championships in 2015 and 2017. She did not receive a medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and did not qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Personal problems, specifically heartbreak, likewise plagued Petecio, leading to a seven-month spiral into depression. Petecio was ready to throw in the towel and hang up her boxing gloves, eager to look for another source of livelihood. But a calling doesn’t stop making itself known, and passion doesn’t quickly die out. After consulting with a sports psychologist, she was ready to return to the ring.
Returning to boxing was the right choice. Petecio won gold at the 2019 Thailand Open International Boxing Championship and the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.
Eventually, she made her way to the Olympics, beginning with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. There, she secured silver in the women’s featherweight event, the first Olympic medal won by a Filipino boxer in 25 years.
Petecio’s recent feat was competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, bagging the country’s second bronze medal and fourth overall accolade.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Petecio is a role model who inspires millions. Her story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the belief that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She has shattered stereotypes and proven that women can excel in sports traditionally dominated by men.
As Petecio continues to make waves in the boxing world, her legacy will endure as a relevant moment in Philippine sports history. She is more than just an athlete; she symbolizes hope, resilience, and the indomitable Filipino spirit.
