Monday, March 27, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Spotlight A Golden Olympics

Nesthy Petecio’s roller-coaster ride to glory

August 9, 2021, 12:15 am
in A Golden Olympics
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Boxing has always been an integral part of Philippine sports. Several provinces would hold boxing matches during events like fiestas to foster sportsmanship among combatants and give the people entertainment. 

Having boxing icons like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire also boosted the Filipinos’ interest in the sport. So when Nesthy Petecio blazed her way through the women’s boxing competition in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, everyone was eagerly waiting for updates on her performance.

Even though Petecio lost in the final bout against Japan’s Sena Irie, who went on to win gold for her country, the Filipina boxer is still praised for her achievement of being the first female boxer to bag a silver medal in the Olympics.

Silver medalist Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio cries 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. AFP
Silver medalist Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio cries 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. AFP

As Filipinos celebrate Petecio’s feat that added to the tally of medals this year’s elite athletes have earned, let’s look back at her journey and how she arrived at where she is today. 

How boxing gave her a purpose 

ADVERTISEMENT

Born in 1991 in Bago Gallera, Davao City, Petecio was raised from humble beginnings. She would collect chicken droppings and participate in boxing bouts in their province as a way to feed her family. 

When she was 11 years old, Petecio would start training hard to acquire the stamina, endurance and strength she needed to succeed inside the ring. Her first competition was during a match in celebration of Araw ng Dabaw. 

Her first opponent was against a man. But because she’s a strong, independent woman, she felt excitement rather than fear because that was a chance for her to show that women can keep up with men, even in sports dominated by them. 

Petecio admitted that even at a young age, she was always boyish. She showed an affinity for playing basketball and tried her hand in athletics before she found her calling in boxing. 

Supporting Petecio’s interest in boxing was her father, who was a boxing coach himself, even though he had reservations at first about his daughter joining the sport. But Nesthy did not allow this to faze her as she secured her first victory in the Araw ng Dabaw. 

This win would soon lead her to fall under the mentorship of Roel Velasco, a 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist. 

At 15 years old, Petecio won gold at the 2007 Philippine National Games. She later joined the national team. 

Going through highs and lows 

Petecio’s first international appearance happened in the 2011 SEA Games, where she brought home a silver in the bantamweight division. Two years later, she won another silver medal in the Myanmar edition of the regional meet, but this time competing in the featherweight division. 

The Filipina boxer’s resume quickly listed significant wins such as a silver medal in the 2014 World Championships in Jeju, gold in the 2015 President’s Cup in Jakarta, silver in the 2015 ASBC Women’s Boxing Championships in China, and silver once again in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games bantamweight division. 

But like the roller-coaster ride that is life, Petecio also had some low points in her career. One was in a qualifier tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she was dealt an early exit in Morocco against the country’s candidate Zohra Ez Zahraoui. 

She would also suffer an early exit at the Asian Games in Jakarta. In the controversial match, Petecio lost a split decision to China’s Yin Junhua, crushing her hopes of a podium finish. Many, including the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines, regarded the result to be questionable since Petecio was more aggressive than her foe. 

This loss put Petecio in a slump as it made her doubt her skills as a boxer.  She also questioned herself if she should pursue a career in boxing. Her doubt stemmed from her having to bow out early of the quadrennial meet after she previously won four straight gold medals from different competitions in preparation for the Asian Games. 

Her thoughts eventually wandered to working a regular 9-to-5 job if she ever quit boxing. But she knew that she was on the right track of her career as she was doing something she loved. So instead of giving up, Petecio took a break from boxing to allow her wounds to heal and come back to the ring stronger. 

Bouncing back 

For seven months, Petecio suffered depression because of her devastating loss. While she began doubting herself and her skills, some people continued to believe in her. With the much-needed encouragement from her coaches and the people who had faith in her, Petecio bounced back and was again ready to face opponents in the ring. 

Petecio demonstrated her passion for the sport and reawakened her determination to bring in more successes under her belt when she won the Thailand Open International Boxing Championship and AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships. She also bagged gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. 

A year later, the Filipina boxer qualified for the Olympics, thus achieving her ultimate career goal. Although she didn’t pass the qualifiers in March 2020 when she lost to Irie, Petecio was given a slot by the International Olympic Committee’s Boxing Task Force because of her ranking. 

On to the Olympics 

Now given a chance to compete in the Olympics, Petecio was not one to hold back. She started her journey in the highly-acclaimed sports competition with a unanimous victory against Congolese boxer Marcelat Sakobi Matshu.

The Filipina boxer also overcame a height and reach disadvantage to advance against Taipei’s Lin Yu-Ting on a 3-2 split decision. 

Petecio went on blazing through the Olympics as she won another perfect 5-0 judgment against Colombia’s Pan Am bronze medallist Yeni Arias. In the semifinals, the Davao native received a 4-1 verdict against Italy’s Irma Testa, leaving her one win away from a gold medal. 

In the finals, Petecio would again face Irie, but this time in her hometown. Irie went on to become Japan’s first-ever female boxing medallist, while Petecio earned the silver medal for the tenacity that she’s known for. 

The silver of Petecio is both a blessing and a challenge. Although having brought home a medal for the Philippines, she also sees this as encouragement for her to improve on her craft and someday bag gold.

Nonetheless, the boxer from Davao made it clear that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the ring and she won’t let obstacles keep her from her goals in life. 

Tags: 2021 Summer OlympicsBoxingNesthy Peteciosilver medalistTokyo Olympics
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Writing ‘herstory’: How Hidilyn Diaz won Olympic gold

August 9, 2021, 12:35 am
0
75
Writing ‘herstory’: How Hidilyn Diaz won Olympic gold

For 97 years, the Philippines has been trying to bring home a gold medal from the Olympics. Three years before...

Read more

World class athletes products of support teams

byJessica Luna
August 9, 2021, 12:25 am
0
8
World class athletes products of support teams

It takes a village to produce a world-class athlete, who needs a well-oiled team of experts to deliver a winning...

Read more

The medals of the Tokyo Olympic Games

byRandy Caluag
August 9, 2021, 12:20 am
0
8
The medals of the Tokyo Olympic Games

Even weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz does not have any idea about the monetary value of her medal. The only...

Read more

Didal prays skateboarding picks up among young athletes

byPeter Atencio
August 9, 2021, 12:10 am
0
8
Didal prays skateboarding  picks up among young athletes

With skateboarding getting popular and more accepted worldwide, Margielyn Didal hopes that interest in the sport will pick up when...

Read more

Like Pokemon on the prowl, Paalam’s gotta catch ‘em all

byReira U. Mallari
August 9, 2021, 12:05 am
0
8
Like Pokemon on the prowl, Paalam’s gotta catch ‘em all

TOKYO – He bulldozed his way through competition like a Tokyo bullet train. He moved like a ninja on stealth...

Read more

Marcial’s journey continues

byJessica Luna
August 9, 2021, 12:00 am
0
8
Marcial’s journey continues

TOKYO—Eumir Felix Marcial settled for a bronze medal in the men’s middleweight class of boxing at the Summer Olympic Games,...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Explosives found at Teves mill
  • First Lady posts snap of Imelda to put rumors of demise to rest
  • Standard debuts ‘Environment & Sustainability’
  • San Miguel cop chief shot dead in robbery try
  • Oil spill compensation seen eclipsing P1.1-b 2006 record
  • Brace for water interruptions, El Niño—Maynilad
  • SC sides with LTO on card project
  • Gov’t letting US dictate terms of EDCA—group

Advertisement

Latest News

Brace for water interruptions, El Niño—Maynilad

byRio N. Araja
March 27, 2023, 1:45 am
0
8
Marinduque lauds desalination project, sees end to potable water supply woes

Water concessionaire Maynilad has advised the public to be ready for possible water interruptions in the coming dry season and...

Read more

SC sides with LTO on card project

byRey E. Requejo
March 27, 2023, 1:35 am
0
8
SC sides with LTO on card project

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Land Transportation Office (LTO)’s use of the P341.7 million left in its 2016...

Read more

Gov’t letting US dictate terms of EDCA—group

byManila Standard
March 27, 2023, 1:30 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

The Marcos administration has been misleading Filipinos on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) by letting the United States dictate...

Read more

The capable Lady Legislators of Western and Central Visayas

byPatricia Bianca S. Taculao
March 27, 2023, 1:25 am
0
8
The capable Lady Legislators of Western and Central Visayas

Due to its booming economy, rich history and culture, and captivating landscapes, the island group of Visayas continuously impresses local...

Read more

San Miguel companies post key water savings milestone

byManila Standard
March 27, 2023, 1:20 am
0
8
MPIF Enlarges Blue Footprint for PH Biodiversity Protection & Conservation

San Miguel Corp. recorded a milestone on World Water Day (March 23, 2023) after its businesses collectively saved some 33,865,901,000...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App