TOKYO. – Nesthy Petecio failed to solve the hitting and grappling technique applied by Sena Irie of Japan Tuesday and lost by unanimous decision in the women’s featherweight boxing finals to settle for a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics here.
The fight was marked with a lot of clinching, and that proved to be big discomfort for Petecio, 29, at the Kokugikan Arena.
“Ayaw ko ng ganung laro, hawak ng hawak,” said Petecio, whose silver was the first for Philippine boxing in the Olympics since Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco clinched the same medal in the Atlanta 1996 Games.
The silver was the second for the country here after Hidilyn Diaz’s gold in the women’s 55 kgs of weightlifting last July 26.
In all, the Philippines is assured of at least four medals here, counting the medals that are in the bag for featherweight Carlo Paalam and middleweight Eumir Marcial.
Paalam became the latest medalist for the country on Tuesday after he beat reigning Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan via split decision, earning a semis berth and at least a bronze medal.
Marcial stopped Arman Darchinyan of Armenia in the first round last Sunday and will fight in the semifinals Thursday, like Paalam assured of a bronze.
Meanwhile, Ernest John Obiena struggled in his Olympic debut Tuesday night, bowing out of the men’s pole vault finals after failing to clear 5.80 meters at the Japan National Stadium.
After easily jumping 5.50 meters, Obiena, whose national record is 5.87 meters, wound up with in a tie for 11th place with Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehre with similar marks of 5.70 meters.
“This means a lot to me,” Petecio told a well-attended press conference, the first for the Tokyo Olympics boxing competitions. “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 efforts to bring me to where I am now,” said Petecio, who failed to hold back tears during the medal ceremony.
Petecio said she won’t give up on her Olympic dream.“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.”
Petecio is guaranteed a total of P17 million from the government and private sponsors: P5 million under Republic Act 10699or the incentives law, P5 million each from the MVP Sports Foundation and San Miguel plus another P2 million from Deputy House Speaker and businessman Mikee Romero.
Even before she stepped foot on the ring against the Japanese, property developer Ovialand announced that she would be given a house and lot worth P2.5 million in Candelaria, Quezon.
Later, in an online press conference, Petecio said had she faced someone else other than Irie in the finals, she would bring home a gold medal.
“Yes po, totoo po yon. A hundred percent po ‘yon,” said Petecio.
While admitting she was behind after the first round, the Davao del Sur pride said she was confident that she came back strong in the last two rounds.
“Pero noong ini-announce na unanimous decision, alam ko na ang resulta,” said the feisty Petecio, who took the verdict in stride but achieved history just same as the first Pinay boxer to win a medal in the Olympics.
“Wala pong dapat ikalungkot sa taas ng ring. Masaya ako sa nakuha ni Sena. Masaya po ako sa nakuha ko. Kung anong natanggap ng ibang tao o kalaban mo, maging masaya ka po,” she said of her memorable Summer Games debut.
“Sabi ko kasi ko kung ano ang magiging resulta ko dito, tatanggapin ko ng buo. Silver or gold pa ito. Kasi first Olympics namin tapos nakakuha pa ng medalya. Grabe. Most unforgettable moment po talaga sa akin,” she added. — With Bong Pedralvez
