Nesthy Petecio sees big importance in bid to win Asiad gold

Nesthy Petecio aims for Asian Games glory. —FILE PHOTO

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is the first to admit that she’s not getting any younger.

That is why there’s an utmost importance for Petecio in her bid to win the gold in the Hangzhou Asian Games (Asiad).

“This is very, very important to me because I’m thinking that this may be my last shot. We’re not getting any younger, we’re getting older. We’re also feeling things now,” the female boxer said in Filipino during the send-off for Asiad-bound athletes at Philippine International Convention Center on Monday.

“It will depend on what would happen here so this is important to me,” added Petecio, who turned 31 last April.

The Davao native is coming off a successful run to the gold in the 60-kilogram women’s category of the Cambodia Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, defeating Indonesia’s Ratna Sari Devi in the final.

It was also her second SEA Games gold after ruling the featherweight class before home supporters at the 2019 edition in Manila.

But those pale in comparison to what she did two years ago in the Olympics, taking home a silver in the same featherweight division.

She was one of four Filipinos who claimed a medal in Tokyo, the biggest haul the country has claimed in one edition of the Summer Games.

With the whole country expecting Petecio to rule in the boxing ring once more, the Tokyo Olympian said she is dedicating her performance to her family, the country and most importantly, herself.

“I’ll be dedicating these Asian Games for my family, as always, that’s number one, for the country and also for myself,” she said.

“Last Tokyo [Olympics], it was all for the family so this time, I’ll dedicate it to me as well.” Meanwhile, Eumir Marcial will also use his Asiad stint as a way to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics—his main goal. “These Asian Games, this is also an Olympic qualifier for us. Now, I’m not just thinking ‘this is the Asian Games,’ I’m thinking that we need to reach the Finals so we can qualify for Paris,” said Marcial. INQ