Nesthy Petecio gets KO start to Olympic chase

Filipino boxing bet Nesthy Petecio during the 2022 Asian Games send off. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Nesthy Petecio seeks nothing less than figuring in a gold-medal bout in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Filipino Olympic silver medalist has begun clearing the path toward the glamorous French city after knocking out Serbia’s Andela Brankovic at the start of the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

Petecio, aiming to qualify in what could be her last Olympics, will likely have to win four times in the women’s 57 kilograms where only the finalists can claim a Paris spot.

READ: Nesthy Petecio bows out early in Asian Games boxing

“I still have to improve my speed, footwork and power while maintaining my weight,’’ said Petecio in Filipino.

The 31-year-old from Davao del Sur came in prepared for the Italy qualifier following a triumphant run in a warm-up competition at the Boxam Elite Tournament in Spain last month.

“I know how tough this will be after I wasn’t able to qualify through the Asian Games,’’ said Petecio, the 2019 world champion and silver medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Rogen Ladon (51 kg) advanced to the next round after winning via split decision over Italy’s Federico Emilio Serra while Riza Pasuit (women’s 60 kg) wasn’t as fortunate in a unanimous decision setback at the hands of Venezuela’s Krisandy Ross.

READ: ‘Inner Nesthy’ fuels Petecio’s Olympic gold drive

Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (men’s 57 kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (63.5 kg), Ronald Chavez Jr. (71 kg) and John Nobel Marvin (92 kg) have yet to see action as well as Aira Villegas (50 kg), Claudine Veloso (54 kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (75 kg).

Another world qualification tournament has been penciled on May 23 to June 3 in Bangkok in case these Filipino boxers still couldn’t book a slot in Paris, but Petecio prefers to earn it now.

“I can’t wait to get that opportunity to qualify for Paris. I have to qualify through this tournament,’’ said Petecio.