MANILA – Nesthy Petecio finished with bronze medal after losing to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta via split decision in the women’s boxing 57 kg division semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, France.
Petecio, a silver medal winner in Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was unable to keep in step with the much aggressive Szeremeta to lose via split decision, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.
The Filipina boxer actually started strong in the opening round, but the Polish fighter managed to outclass her foe by working behind her right hook in the second and third rounds.
The 32-year-old Petecio, however, was stunned with the judges scores as she believed that she has landed more punches than Szeremeta in the third round.
“Sobrang labo, sobrang labo talaga pero ‘yun nakikita nila eh so wala tayong magagawa pero grabe, wala siyang clear punch sa third round,” Petecio said in an interview with One Sports.
“‘Yung mga body shots, ‘yung mga hook ko (especially nung third round) pumapasok eh. Ewan ko, hindi ko alam anong nangyari,” the Filipina boxer added after the match.
Petecio was also baffled as the referee constantly cautioned her several times in the game, which has somehow affected her attack against the Polish fighter.
“Lagi akong naka-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.
Regardless, Petecio is still contented with her performance and thankful that she still represents the country in the Olympics despite her age.
“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 ito this time. Sobrang grabe ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko siya pero medyo hindi tayo [pinalad] ngayong gabio. Pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako kay Lord kasi maganda ‘yung pinakita ko,” she added./PN
