Nesthy Petecio of Davao and an alumna of University of Baguio wins bronze medal for Philippines in boxing women’s 57kg at the Olympics Paris 2024. This is Petecio’s second Olympic medal after she won silver at Tokyo 2020 (after a close-fight with a Polish fighter.
The 32-year-old’s bronze earns the Philippines their fourth medal of Paris 2024 and their second in boxing adding to Aira Villegas who took bronze the day before.
Petecio was initially on top in the opening round, showing great grit and impressing all five judges who gave it in her favour. But her opponent was resurgent in the second round and pulled herself back into it, though neither boxer was really able to take control of the fight.
That is how it would stay in the third and final round, with just a point between them and a place in the gold medal match at stake.
It was Szeremeta who prevailed in the end, taking a 4-1 victory via split decision to advance to the final.
Biographical Information
Highlights:
Olympic Games
| Rank | Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Women’s 57kg | 2021 | Tokyo, JPN |
Asian Games
| Rank | Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Women’s 57kg | 2023 | Hangzhou, CHN |
1st World Qualification Tournament
| Rank | Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Women’s 57kg | 2024 | Busto Arsizio, ITA |
Note:
Results in Non-Olympic events are not included in the above section.
Award:
Flagbearer for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony (2024).
Family:
Father, Teodoro.
Ambition:
To win the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Education:
University of Baguio (PHI).
Nickname:
Nesh.
Occupation:
Athlete.
Languages Spoken:
English, Filipino
Coach:
National: Reynaldo Galido (PHI).
Hand:
Ambidextrous (asbcnews.org, 13 Feb 2018)
Start:
Began boxing at age seven in Davao, Philippines. Took up the sport competitively in 2007 when she was recruited by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines-Calinan boxing team.
Reason:
Her father Teodoro taught her how to box as a child. She then took up the sport competitively so she could help her family earn extra income. “The reason I chose boxing is because I can help my family, and study for free. There are a lot of opportunities for me in the sport. At first, it wasn’t my choice. It was more for self-defence only.” (myInfo)
Hero:
Boxer Manny Pacquiao (PHI), the first eight-division world champion, winning 12 major world titles across multiple weight classes in a career spanning four decades. His record boasts 62 wins, 39 by knockout, 8 losses and 2 draws. While he never competed in the Olympic Games, he was the Philippine delegation’s flagbearer at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony as the first-ever non-participant to serve as the country’s flagbearer. Outside of boxing, he has served as a Senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
Influence:
Her family.
Philosophy:
“No stopping until there is no gold.” (myInfo)
General Interest
RETIREMENT THOUGHTS
Hit a low point in her career when she was knocked out of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia in the first round. However, the following year she claimed gold at the 2019 World Championships in Ulan-Ude (RUS). “When I lost my opening bout at the 2018 Asian Games, I really wanted to stop. I was going to look for a job. I was looking for other options. At that time, I was really feeling down. I was feeling depressed, I was stressed. Winning the 2019 World Championships helped me a lot. It certainly added to my self confidence.” Plans to retire after Paris 2024, no matter the result. (myInfo)
Milestones
Featherweight silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, becoming the first Filipina boxer to win an Olympic medal. Lost to Sena Irie (JPN) in the final.
Two-time world championship featherweight medallist (2019 gold, 2014 silver).
Three-time Asian championship medallist (silver – bantamweight 2015, bronze – bantamweight 2012, bronze – featherweight 2022).
Two-time Southeast Asian Games featherweight champion (2019, 2023).
Social Media:
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Nesthypetecioofficial
- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7T1ZhSv3KW/
- TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com@nesh114
- TWITTER: https://x.com/nesthypetecio11
- YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@nesthypetecio1929
Source: Olympic.com “No copyright infringement intended.”
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