Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio (red) reacts after winning against Colombia’s Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda at the end of their women’s feather (54-57kg) quarter-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
Nesthy Petecio’s quest for the Olympic gold medal is closer than ever.
Petecio on Wednesday secured the Philippines’ second medal of the Tokyo Olympics and moved one win away from competing for the gold after beating Yeni Arias Castaneda of Colombia in the women’s featherweight quarterfinals via unanimous decision at Kokugikan Arena.
Two judges gave Petecio all three rounds, 30-27, while three others had it, 29-28, for the Filipino world champion.
The 29-year-old Davao native will fight for a ticket to the gold medal round on Saturday against European champion Irma Testa of Italy.
On Monday night, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz claimed the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in record fashion in the women’s 55kg class.
This is the first time since the 1932 Los Angeles Games that the Philippines will be going home with multiple medals with still a number of Filipino bets in contention, including three in boxing.
Eumir Marcial, who drew a bye, Irish Magno, and Carlo Paalam are all in the round-of-16.
