Petecio Bags Silver, Other Olympic Update
Jerimae R. Sanchez in Ang Pinoy Stories
Aug 04, 2021 • 3 min Read
Filipina boxer Neshty Petecio wrapped up her maiden Olympic stint with a silver medal after bowing to Sena Irie of Japan in the Women’s Featherweight finals, August 3, at the Kokukigan arena.
The toe-to-toe fight of the two ended up with a unanimous decision, favoring the younger fighter Irie.
“Humihingi po ako ng pasensya kung silver lang po ang naiuwi ko. Ginawa ko po yung lahat ng makakaya ko kanina. Salamat po sa dasal ninyo,” quipped the 29-year-old Pinay in a post-game interview, who has been emotional during the awarding ceremony.
After Irie got the upper hand in the first round, Petecio managed to come back and owned the round two with her solid punches and combination against the Japanese, who always tie-up with her to avoid any momentum from the Filipina. Both generated strong strikes in the deciding round but it was Irie who seized the match and widened the gap on their personal matchups with each other, 3-1.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the fighting pride of Davao del Sur made history as the country’s first Filipina boxer to win an Olympic medal. This has been the first medal for the Philippine boxing since the time of Onyok Velasco in 1996.
“Sobrang blessed ako, sobrang thankful din ako kay Lord kasi hindi niya ko pinabayaan sa taas ng ring. Dalawa kami ng kalaban ko. “Sobrang honored ako na i-represent ko yung Pilipinas,” uttered Petecio.
The five-foot-three orthodox fighter is set to receive php5 million from the government under R.A. 10699, Php5 million pledged from business tycoons, Manny V. Pangilinan and Ramon S. Ang, and Php2 million from Congressman Mikee Romero. Other perks are expected to be given to Petecio in the coming days.
Meanwhile, on the other sporting events, Gymnast Carlos Yulo settled for 4th place in Men’s Vault final after tallying an average of 14.716, a narrow shy of at least a bronze medal. Margielyn Didal finished 7th in the Women’s Skateboarding Street event. Kristina Marie Knott clocked in 23.80 seconds in the Women’s 200m run but unable to zoom in to the top 3 after clinching the 5th spot in Heat 7. Philippines’ lone bet in Men’s Golf Juvic Pagunsan polished off his Olympic campaign at solo 55th place.
Rising star Elreen Ando also took 7th place in her Olympic debut for Women’s weightlifting 64-kg event. Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule both delivered their formidable guts in swimming events yet failed to clinch a medal for the country.
In boxing, it was Irish Magno who bowed out of the quest early as she’s unable to get the victory in Round of 16 of Women’s Flyweight division. Filipino Jin Kurt Barbosa also suffered a heartbreak after an early exit in Taekwondo Men’s 58-kg category as well as Kiyomi Watanabe in Judo Women’s 63-kg. Cris Nievarez ended his first Olympic stretch with a 23rd overall rank in Men’s single sculls while Jayson Valdez exits in shooting competition with a 44th place finish in qualifying round.
Featured Photo Source: IG of Neshty Petecio
