MANILA — Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas have clinched their tickets to Paris this July following their stellar performances at the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Tuesday (12 March 2024).
Petecio demonstrated her prowess by defeating Turkey’s Esra Yildiz with a score of 4-1 in the semifinals of the women’s 57kg category, earning herself a return trip to the Olympics after securing the silver medal in Tokyo.
“I feel incredibly blessed. This opportunity is immensely important to me, especially considering it might be my final Olympics,” Petecio shared in an interview with olympics.com.
“I dedicate this victory to so many individuals, particularly my family, to God, and to the memory of our former President who has passed away, Ed Picson, as well as to my life partner. Before the tournament, I made a promise to her that I would secure a spot for Paris, and finally, here we are! I am overjoyed,” added the 31-year-old from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
“I am determined to pursue the Olympic gold medal,” Petecio affirmed.
Meanwhile, Villegas secured her place with a decisive 5-0 victory over Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg class.
Petecio and Villegas will join their compatriots, including fellow boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and gymnasts Carlo Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, in the Paris Summer Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
