After making the country proud, 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is out for another run at that elusive boxing gold in the next edition of the Games.
The reigning world champion felt grateful to have reached the gold medal bout on Tuesday. She then told the hard-working reporters in the venue, “Sobrang blessed ako at sobrang thankful po ako kay Lord na hindi niya ko pinabayaan sa taas ng ring. Dalawa kami ng kalaban ko.
“Sobrang honored po ako na i-represent ‘yung Pilipinas po.”
Admittedly, though, some of the tears she shed were of regret, but mostly it was not for her.
“Naiyak po ako kasi nanghihinayang po ako para sa mga coaches ko, kasi nga i-aalay ko sana. Gusto ko po sanang ialay ‘yung gold para kay coach po pero ayun po, kinulang po tayo.
“Ginawa ko po yung best ko sa taas ng ring po. Nakita niyo, humabol po ako, humabol po ako,” she expressed.
Fighting through tears, Petecio sent her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who sent their prayers and messages.
“Humihingi po ako ng pasensya kung silver lang po ang naiuwi ko. Ginawa ko po ‘yung lahat ng makakaya ko kanina. Salamat po talaga sa dasal ninyo.”
Nonetheless, Petecio has had a history of bouncing back from heartbreaks, and this Olympic debut will surely be no different.
The 29-year-old Davao del Sur-born standout shared, “Siyempre po continue pa rin po ako.
“Chasing the gold pa rin po tayo. May Paris po.
“‘Yun po ‘yung gusto kong mangyari,” referring to doing a Hidilyn Diaz in “converting” the silver into gold in the following Games. “Siyempre po sa gabay ni Lord at ng mga coaches ko, sa lahat po ng mga nagdasal sa kin po, siyempre.”
For that, the whole country will surely have Petecio’s back.
