Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio continues to chase her Olympic dream as she competes in the World Qualification Tournament in Italy. Petecio secured a spot in the Round of 16 after defeating Romanian Maria Claudia Nechia. The victory brings her closer to claiming one of the two slots available in her weight division.
Petecio’s success contrasts with the disappointing outcomes for other Filipino athletes at the tournament. Mark Ashley Fajardo, Claudine Veloso, Ronald Chavez, Jr., and John Marvin were eliminated from Olympic contention with losses in their respective matches.
Chavez, Jr., in particular, failed to continue his family’s tradition of Olympic participation, as both his father and uncle represented the Philippines in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Despite these setbacks, Petecio, along with Rogen Ladon and the team of Aira Villegas and Carlo Paalam, are determined to secure Olympic berths. They aim to join the ranks of other Filipino athletes who have already qualified for the Tokyo Games, including Eumir Marcial, EJ Obiena, Carlos Yulo, and Aleah Finnegan.
