Bronze medalist Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio poses during a medals ceremony for the women’s 57 kg final boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MANILA, Philippines—Not only did Nesthy Petecio make the country proud with her second consecutive Olympic medal, she also did it for Philippine women’s boxing.
Petecio bagged the bronze in the women’s 57kg class at the Paris Olympics to add to her silver in the Tokyo Games three years ago.
“I’m so happy because little by little, our female boxers are getting more known,” said Petecio in Filipino during Team Philippines’ homecoming celebration at Newport World Resorts late Tuesday evening.
READ: Nesthy Petecio gets bronze as she misses final at Paris Olympics
“Hopefully it (women’s boxing) gets more support because I’m just blessed to bring a medal home again.”
The Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur native was one of three Filipino female boxers who qualified for the Paris Olympics with Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas the other two. Both Bacyadan and Villegas made their Olympic debuts in Paris.
Like Petecio, Villegas also made the podium after taking home the bronze in the women’s 50kg class.
Much was expected from the Philippine boxing team, which sent a total of five fighters, in Paris after winning two silver medals and a bronze in Tokyo.
Although Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial failed to win a medal this time, Petecio and Villegas’ medal victories still made it a successful Olympic campaign for the country’s boxers.
READ: Aira Villegas takes home boxing bronze after semifinal loss
Back-to-back multiple podium appearances for the Philippine boxing team could be a good indication that the long-awaited golden breakthrough is within reach.
Boxing’s inclusion in the next Games set in Los Angeles 2028 is still up in the air with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expected to decide on the sport’s fate in the first half of 2025.
The 32-year-old Petecio, however, is highly confident that the sport will remain an Olympic sport.
“I know the US has a lot of boxers and Olympians so I’m positive that it (boxing) will still be there.”