Olympic Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio Thanks Filipinos For Their Support Following Historic Win
The Philippine Embassy congratulated boxer Nesthy Petecio during a video call on 4 August 2021 following her historic Silver Medal win in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is the first Filipino athlete to win an Olympic medal for Women’s Boxing. Her victory also marks the first time the Philippines won a boxing medal in 25 years.
During the call, Ms. Petecio thanked the Filipino community, saying that while they were not able to watch her bout in-person, she wanted to thank everyone for their support.
She encouraged more women to try boxing as a sport, saying, “Ang boxing po, hindi lang para sa mga lalaki… sa mga kababaihan po na gusto i-try, subukan niyo lang po. Masaya po ang boxing…kapag nasimulan niyo na, ma-enjoy niyo na po.”
In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V told her, “I hope that you will be an inspiration as I am inspired by your ability to get the silver medal.” The Ambassador also congratulated Ms. Petecio’s team for helping her become the Philippines’ first woman boxer to reach this level in the Olympics.
Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) also joined the video call. He thanked the Filipino Community for their continued support and prayers for the Philippine Athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
When asked by Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre Bolivar about what fans should expect from her after the Tokyo 2020 Games, Ms. Petecio said: “Abangan nyo po kami sa Southeast Asian Games, sa Asian Games, at syempre sa darating na Olympics sa Paris. Abangan nyo po kami. Babalik po tayo nang mas malakas pa!”
POC Chef de Mission Marianito Araneta, Jr., POC General Manager Dinah Remolacio, Ms. Petecio’s Coach Nolito Velasco and Boxing Consultant and Coach Don Abnett also joined the video call.
