OLYMPIC silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is setting her sights on unfinished business as she targets a podium, if not the gold medal, at the 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games—a prize that has long eluded one of the Philippines’ most decorated boxers.
Petecio, a two-time Olympic medalist, said she remains determined to secure an Asian Games’ gold, while also keeping her hopes alive for a berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, acknowledging that time is no longer on her side, but her motivation remains strong.
“May hangganan, tumatanda din po tayo, pero pipilitin ko pa rin makapasok sa next Olympics. Gusto ko pa ring makalaro sa Asian Games talaga, kasi zero pa ako dito—wala pa akong medal. ’Yan na lang listahan ko na wala pa akong medal,” Petecio said in a recent radio interview.
At 34, Petecio admitted uncertainty about how long she will continue competing at the highest level.
“Hindi ko pa rin masabi kung last Olympics na ba, or last Asian Games,” she added.
Despite her extensive list of achievements, including podium finishes on the Olympic stage, Petecio said an Asian Games’ gold remains her top priority in 2026. Her campaign, however, comes with added challenges.
The women’s 57kg division, Petecio’s natural weight class, has been removed from the Asian Games’ program, forcing her to decide whether to move down to 54kg or up to 60kg. The adjustment could significantly impact her preparation and strategy against a new set of opponents.
Petecio bagged a silver in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a bronze in Paris in 2024.
She had previously competed in the Asian Games in 2014 and 2018 but has yet to secure a medal, with her best result being a second-round finish.
Still, her resolve has not wavered, even as she received recognition as one of the Flame Awardees at the Women in Sports Awards 2026.
