Silver medallist Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio poses on the podium with her medal after the women’s feather (54-57kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. | Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The gold medal chase doesn’t end for Nesthy Petecio.
After settling for a silver medal in the women’s featherweight finals of the Tokyo Olympics, Petecio vowed to continue on chasing the gold medal in the next Olympics.
On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Petecio yielded to Japan’s Sena Irie via unanimous decision in the gold medal round of their much-anticipated showdown at the Kokujikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
“Tuloy pa rin ho,” she said. “Kagaya ni champ Hidy [Diaz], nag-silver siya sa Rio and nag-gold siya dito at 30, kaya tuloy ang laban,” said Petecio in a press release from the Philippine Sports Commission.
Despite being the more aggressive boxer, Petecio didn’t get the judges’ nods and had to settle for the silver.
Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio (red) and Japan’s Sena Irie fight during their women’s feather (54-57kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. | Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP
She tried to match Irie punch-for-punch but the Japanese was the quicker fighter, escaping with the win in the division that was added to the Olympic program for the first time.
Despite losing, the silver medal still meant a lot as it was the Philippines’ first since 1996 when Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco earned a silver at the Atlanta Olympics.
“This means a lot to me,” Petecio said.
“I dedicate this fight to my country, my family, and my best friend, who died last February.”
“But most especially, I dedicate this silver medal to my coach, Coach Boy [Nolito Velasco] for his tireless effort to bring me to where I am now,” she said.
Petecio was in tears while praising her tormentor and couldn’t hold her tears back during the medal ceremony.
/bmjo
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