Poland’s Julia Szeremeta (blue) reacts after beating the Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio in the women’s 57kg semifinal boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Peter Cziborra / POOL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Nesthy Petecio was left baffled after losing to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in their women’s 57kg boxing semifinal at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday.
Petecio came out swinging at the bell but appeared to have run out of gas in the final two rounds as Szeremeta secured her spot in the gold medal round.
“Sobrang labo. ’Yon yung nakikita nila e so wala na tayo magagawa po. Wala siyang clear punches sa third round, tapos body shots and hooks ko kumo-connect. Ewan ko, di ko pa alam ano nangyari,” said Petecio in interview with One Sports.
(I don’t get what they saw in the fight but we can’t do anything about it. She (Szermenta) didn’t land any clear punches in the third round and while I kept connecting on my body shots and hooks. I don’t know. I don’t know what happened.)
READ: Nesthy Petecio gets bronze as she misses final at Paris Olympics
“Lagi akong nako-caution ng referee. ‘Di ko alam kung bakit, ‘di ko alam ano ‘yong nakikita nilang side. Sila na ‘yon at nirerespeto ko ‘yon.”
(I’m always being warned by the referee and I don’t know why. I don’t know which side of the fight they saw but that’s their decision and I respect that.)
The loss by Petecio gave the Philippines a second bronze to add to its pair of golds courtesy of gymnast Carlos Yulo.
The result was a step back for Petecio, who was eager to go all the way this time after a silver medal finish at the Tokyo Games.
READ: Nesthy Petecio vows no let up in bid for Paris Olympics
“Akala ko akin na ‘to this time. Sobrang grabe ‘yong tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya pero ‘yon nga, ‘di tayo pinalad ngayong gabi ng panalo pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako kay Lord kasi maganda yung pinakita ko.”
(I thought it [gold] was going to be mine this time. I had so much trust in myself that I’d get it but we weren’t fortunate enough tonight to win but I’m so thankful to the Lord because I put up a good showing.)
As for Petecio’s next move, she has no clear answer yet.
“Tingnan natin. ‘Di ko pa masasabi ngayon, pero hangga’t kaya ko pa ba’t di natin pagpatuloy?”
(Let’s see. I can’t say anything now but as long as I can still keep fighting, why not?)