Nesthy Petecio believes she landed clearer punches in the crucial third round that went in the way of Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the Paris 2024 semifinals.
Nesthy Petecio came up short in her gold medal bid in Paris 2024 after losing to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta via split decision. | Photo (c) Cignal TV/Paris 2024
Tokyo 2020 silver medalist and now Paris 2024 bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio remained graceful despite her close semifinal defeat to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta on Thursday, August 8 (Philippine time).
After exchanging blows in the first and second rounds, the scores were practically tied between the two boxers heading into the final round.
But while the 32-year-old Pinay boxer believed that she landed cleaner punches in the final round, four of the five judges gave the win to Szeremeta.
The 20-year-old Polish boxer won via split decision, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, to advance to the gold medal match. Szeremeta scored a shutout in the fateful final round.
“Sobrang labo, sobrang labo talaga pero ‘yun nakikita nila eh so wala tayong magagawa pero grabe wala siyang clear punch sa third round. ‘Yung mga body shots, ‘yung mga hook ko pumapasok eh. Ewan ko, hindi ko alam anong nangyari,” Petecio told One Sports’ Carlo Pamintuan after the match.
Petecio was even curious about why the referee had cautioned her several times in the bout.
“Lagi akong naca-caution ng referee, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero siguro hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung nakikita kong side nila so sila na ‘yun eh, nirerespeto ko ‘yun,” said Petecio.
Nonetheless, the Davao Del Sur native is proud to have been able to represent the Philippines once more and had another solid Olympic outing that led to a medal finish.
The finish also proves historic for Nesthy, as she joins Hidilyn Diaz as the only Filipinas with multiple Olympic medals.
“Sobrang proud po ako na hanggang ngayon lumalaban ako para sa bayan, sa pamilya, sa pangarap, and sa pangarap ko na ginto,” said Petecio.
“Akala ko akin na ‘to this time pero sobrang grabe ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya pero medyo hindi tayo [pinalad] ngayong gabi sa panalo. Pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako kay Lord kasi maganda ‘yung pinakita ko,” she added.
With Petecio’s second Olympic run officially over, the Philippines now have two gold and two bronze medals in Paris 2024.
