Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio won a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after Sena Irie of Japan defeated her in the final round of the women’s featherweight division Tuesday at the Kokugikan Arena.
After getting a unanimous decision from all five judges, the Japanese boxer snatched the gold medal, 10-9. Petecio, who is 9 years older than Ire, struggled to connect punches in the first round.
In the second round, Nesthy Petecio fought back and secured a 4-1 scorecard, and brought the bout to a decision in the last round.
In the crucial third round, Irie was grabbed and hold Petecio, though the Filipina boxer could launch some power punches.
All five judges gave the round in favor of the Japanese fighter, winning the Olympic gold medal.
Representing the Philippines, Petecio went on to compete in several international competitions. She clinched silver medals at the 2014 AIBA Women’s World Championships and the 2011 and 2013 Southeast Asian Games; a bronze medal in the 2012 Asian Championships; and a gold medal in the 2015 Indonesia President’s Cup.
Nesthy Petecio wins silver medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics
She would also compete in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, the 2015 and 2017 Asian Championships, but failed to finish. She also failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Failing to medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and dealing with the aftermath of ending a relationship with a girlfriend, Petecio experienced a bout of depression.
After a break, Petecio made a comeback by winning gold at the 2019 Thailand Open International Boxing Championship. Then, at the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Petecio won gold in the featherweight division after defeating hometown bet Liudmila Vorontsova in the final. Finally, she ended the year with another gold medal, this time at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. After failing to bring home the top prize in the biennial meet in her three previous attempts, it was a sweet victory for Petecio after failing to bring home the top prize in the biennial meet.
Nesthy Petecio is the second Filipino to win a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after Hidilyn Diaz won the gold medal for weightlifting.
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