MANILA – For a nation that has not stepped to the Olympic boxing podium for 25 years, Nesthy Petecio’s silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is as glittering and shiny as a gold medal.
Petecio boxed her way to the clinching and hugging defense of Japanese Sena Irie for three rounds, yet not enough to capture the gold medal in the women’s featherweight division finale on Tuesday at the Kokukigan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
It was a painful and heartbreaking end to a Cinderella-like journey of Petecio in the Tokyo Summer Games with all the five judges in unison in handing the decision win to Irie.
“Humihingi po ako ng pasensya kung silver medal lang ang naiuwi ko,” a teary-eyed Petecio said in an interview with ONE Sports’ Paolo del Rosario. “Ginawa ko naman lahat ng makakaya ko, humabol ako, kinulang lang talaga.”
“Naiyak ako dahil nanghihinayang ako para sa coaches ko. Iaalay ko sana ang gold ko kay (Negrense boxing) coach Nolito (Velasco) pero kinulang talaga,” she added.
Petecio was held from her punches in the opening round after being clinched and elbowed by Irie. Five judges gave a 10-9 score in favor of the hometown boxer.
She bounced back in the next round and unloaded several blows to Irie’s head and body despite the latter’s tight defense to earn 10-9 from four judges. In the third round, five judges unanimously awarded Irie a 10-9 score, allowing her to seize the Olympic gold.
Petecio’s silver was the first for Philippine boxing in the Olympics since Negrense Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco notched a silver medal in 1996 in Atlanta. It was also the second mint for the country in the one-year delayed Tokyo Olympics after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s gold in women’s -55 kilograms division last July 24.
Aside from her silver, Petecio is set to receive cash incentives from both the government and the private sector amounting to at least P17 million.
“I am very blessed and honored to be given this opportunity to represent our country. Continue pa rin ako, chasing the gold pa rin po tayo. Hindi pa po tayo tapos. May Paris pa sa 2024,” the 25-year-old Petecio said./PN
