Nesthy Petecio winning silver in the Women’s Featherweight finals in the Tokyo Olympics is historic
Another Filipina brings honor to her country after Hidilyn Diaz’s golden moment. Nesthy Petecio is the second to bring Philippines its second Olympic medal and becomes the first Filipina silver medalist boxer. Before Petecio, it was Onyok Velasco who held the record for Philippine boxing’s highest finish with a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Even before Petecio’s Women’s Featherweight final match, she already secured herself a podium finish, but had hoped to clinch the gold in the final bout. However, home bet Sena Irie, who initially denied Petecio an Olympic win in the Asia and Oceania qualifiers, won over Petecio and got the gold by unanimous decision.
Even so, the pride of Davao del Sur put up a great fight and even managed to get the nod of four judges in the second round. On the other note, this is surely a great day for the team Philippines, as Carlo Paalam also secure himself a podium finish with at least a bronze medal and will now move on to the semi finals on August 5, while EJ Obiena will fight in his Pole Vault finals tonight at 6:20PM.
The rewards
After another thrilling win over Italian boxer Irma Testa last Saturday, Petecio said in an emotional moment, “This means so much to me as not only it is my dream, it is my father’s dream. It’s not for me, it’s for my family, my country and for all the people from the Philippines who have prayed for me. I love you, I love you.”
This win means so much not only to Petecio, but to her family as well. Her humble beginnings as someone born into a farming family in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, she held on to this humility that helped take her to where she is today.
Even before her final match today, at least one private company already offered an award. Real estate firm, Ovialand, pledged to reward our champ a brand new house and lot that is worth P2.5 million. Their president, Pammy Olivares-Vital said in a statement, “Even before she vies for the Olympic gold, Nesthy is already a champion in the hearts of Filipinos.”
The house and lot will be added to the P5 million prize that awaits the silver medalist Petecio, which is in accordance to the Republic Act No. 10699.
Related:
Here’s How Much Hidilyn Diaz Will Get For Winning The First Olympic Gold
Hidilyn Diaz Wins The First Olympic Gold Medal For The Philippines
The Powerful Filipinas Who Were Qualified For Tokyo Olympics
