By MARK REY MONTEJO
Paris-bound boxer Nesthy Petecio knows that there’s not much time left for her, so she wants to end her career – already an illustrious one – in a blaze of glory.
The 32-year-old Petecio will try to surpass her silver medal win in the 2020 Tokyo edition in the Summer Olympics in what could be her own version of “Last Dance” in the lovely French capital.
The Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur native is already looking forward to the next chapter should she finally accomplished her unfinished business in the Olympics – winning the gold medal.
“Actually after ng Tokyo (Olympics), pumasok na lahat ng [idea], ‘yon nga may mga opportunity na pumasok saken,” Petecio said in PSA Forum Tuesday, June 11.
“May mga tao rin na nagsabi sakin na di dapat umikot lang ang buhay ko sa pagiging athlete,” she added. “Kailangan ko pang mag-explore ng ibang bagay.”
Petecio almost doubled the gold medal for the Philippines in the Tokyo edition after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo delivered the country’s first-ever gold medal but she bowed in the featherweight final bout against Japan’s Sena Irie, who retired in boxing in 2022.
Petecio has been donning the Philippine colors since 2007, winning medals in international competitions including SEA Games, World Championship Asian Championship, and in the Olympics except in Asiad.
“Lagi akong itlog dyan diko po alam pero bibirahin po natin yang Asian Games, susubukan po nating magkamedalya dyan,” Petecio continued.
She will have her time for the next Asiad as it is set in Nagoya, Japan in 2026.
“Sobrang mahal ko tong sports na ‘to, 17 years nako dito. Di nako bumabata, nagkakaedad nako syempre kailangan ko rin bigyan ng oras ‘yong sarili and family ko,” Petecio said.
“Gusto ko um-exit ng boxing ng maganda, kahit huminto man ako dito buo ‘yong loob ko na alam ko sa sarili ko na binigay ko ‘yong best ko,” she added.
Petecio will join hands with her fellow Tokyo medalists Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam alongside first timers Hergy Bacyadan and Aira Villegas.
The five boxers with their coaches are flying to Metz, France for grueling training and in Germany as well before setting their foot in the fashion capital in the world.
