MANILA — Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio secured her place in the quarterfinals of the 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Friday (Saturday in Manila).
In the Round of 16 of the women’s 57-kilogram (kg) division, Petecio clinched victory over Nancy Canan Tas of Germany with a unanimous decision (5-0).
Petecio is set to face Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, who triumphed over Jenifer Fernande of Spain (5-0).
She must advance to the finals of the tournament to secure her qualification for the Paris Olympics.
In the men’s 57-kg division, Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam emerged victorious against Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla in the Round of 32 with a split decision (3-1).
Paalam took to his Facebook and Instagram stories to express his disappointment in his Mexican opponent’s boxing skills, criticizing Bonilla for lacking proficiency.
He is slated to go against Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov in the Round of 16 on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
In the women’s 50-kg Round of 32, Aira Villegas triumphed over Canada’s McKenzie Wright with a split decision (3-2), keeping her hopes alive for the Paris Olympics.
Villegas will progress to the Round of 16 and will face off against Sofie Rosshaug of Denmark on Sunday.
These three boxers, along with Asian Games silver medalist Rogen Ladon, remain the Philippines’ contenders in the Olympic qualifiers in Italy.
Currently, the Philippines has one qualified boxer for the Paris Olympics—Eumir Felix Marcial, who secured his spot following a silver-medal finish at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year.
Ladon, Villegas, and Paalam only need to reach the tournament’s semifinals to secure their places in the Paris Games.
(By El Amigo/MNM)
