PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Is it the end of the line for two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio?
The 32-year-old Petecio failed to match or even upgrade her Tokyo Olympics silver medal following a shock 1-4 split decision loss to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the semifinals of the women’s 57 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday morning (Manila time).
“Sobrang labo, pero ‘yun ang nakikita nila (judges), wala na tayo magagawa doon,” said a dejected Petecio.
Despite the unexpected defeat, Petecio’s Olympic legacy remains intact as she claimed the bronze, joining an elite list of multiple medal winners, namely weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (gold in 2020 Tokyo, silver in 2016 Rio); gymnast Carlos Yulo, a double-gold medalist in Paris; and swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, double-bronze winner (1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles).
Petecio also became the first Filipino boxer to win medals in two consecutive Olympics.
Her bronze matched that of teammate Aira Villegas’ after the latter bowed to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu early Wednesday.
Their feats are the Philippines’ fifth and sixth bronze medals in the Olympics, counting those of Jose Villanueva (1932 Los Angeles), Leopoldo Serrantes (1988 Seoul), Roel Velasco (1992 Barcelona) and Eumir Marcial (2020 Tokyo).
The Philippines has four boxing silvers in the Olympics, courtesy of Anthony Villanueva (1964 Tokyo), Onyok Velasco (1992 Atlanta), Petecio and Carlo Paalam (2021 Tokyo).
“Sobrang proud po ako na hanggang ngayon, lumalaban pa din ako para sa bayan. Sa pamilya, sa pangarap ko. Akala ko akin na ito this time, sobrang grabe ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya. ‘Yun nga, hindi tayo pinalad ngayong gabi pero sobrang thankful pa din ako na maganda ang ipinakita ko,” added Petecio.
She added: “Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), ABAP (Association of Boxing Alliances) family ko, kay boss Ricky Vargas, MVPSF (Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation). Grabe ang pasalamat ko, lahat ng kailangan namin, binigay nila.”
While the setback is expected to linger, Petecio offered a glimpse of her future plans.
“Tignan po natin, hindi ko pa siya masasabi ngayon. Pero hangga’t kaya ko pa, bakit hindi natin ipagpatuloy?” she asked.
