Not a few female athletes have admitted that menstruation or a ‘monthly period’ could get in the way and alter their performance on the playing field.
And it’s way more difficult in a combat sport like boxing.
Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio went through the same difficult experience as she gallantly fought and dropped a close split-decision loss to Omailyn Alcala of Venezuela in the preliminary round of their light flyweight bout at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023 in New Delhi, India.
Petecio thought, though, that she performed well under difficult circumstances.
“Ngayon lang ako nakapaglaro na okay kilos at galaw na may menstruation talaga sa mismong Laban! Kaya proud ako sa sarili ko,” said Petecio.
The Olympic veteran thought she fought so well, that she urged her social media followers to watch her video and judge for themselves.
“I lost my 2nd fight today, against Venezuela… hindi ko alam, basta manood na lang kayo sa video ng laban,” she posted on her Facebook account, capped with several emojis.
Petecio shared that she used to struggle hard during her menstrual period.
“Hirap na hirap ako lumaban before kapag meron talaga, like gusto ko mahiga, matulog na lang, ayaw gumalaw, tamad na tamad..pero today? Wwooohhh….masaya lang ako. Siguro sa iba hindi big deal at OA siya, or sabihin gagawin pang reason bakit natalo, pero sabi ko nga po, panoorin niyo na lang ‘yung laro,” Petecio reasoned out.
The long-time national team member and two others, Aira Villegas and Riza Pasuit, were using the tournament as part of their preparation for the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games slated for next month.
“So proud of myself! Slowly getting better and better. Para sa akin, another achievement to,” added Petecio, who scored a unanimous decision win over Guy Tianna of Trinidad and Tobago in her first preliminary assignment on the same day.
