By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – No amount of noise could rattle a Filipino fighter so inspired and focused like Nesthy Petecio.
Looking more confident and bolder, Petecio scored a massive 4-1 upset win over Frenchwoman Amina Zidani in the women’s 57kg division showdown in a feat that reduced the home fans to tears in the Paris Olympics on Friday, Aug. 2, at the North Paris Park in Villepinte.
Like Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) and Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), Petecio is now a win shy from earning her second Olympic medal.
In the quarters, Petecio will be up against Chinese Xu Zichun, who eked out a thrilling 3-2 win over Columbian Valeria Arboleda Mendoza later in the night.
If she is lucky enough, the pride of Sta. Cruz in Davao de Sur could even match or surpass her silver medal showing in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games.
And again, Petecio paid tribute to the great effort of the coaching staff in dissecting the style and movements of the third-seeded Frenchwoman who came into the game undefeated in five professional fights.
“I stuck to our game plan, keeping a close distance to her and targeting her body most often before throwing my bigger shots,” said Petecio.
Stung after the opening round was given to her rival, Petecio became even more tigerish in the next frame, coming through with rapid-fire assault that weakened Zidani even more.
A thunderous hook almost knockdown Zidani but 30-year-old native of Villepenti somehow managed to hold on and continue fighting.
By then, it was clear as the sun rises tomorrow that the momentum had shifted to Petecio’s side.
“Akala ko ma-knockdown ko siya nang mataaman ko ng hook,” added Petedio.
The roar of the crowd reached its loudest starting in the third but it slowed down bit by bit each time the masterful Petecio landed a whistling left straight or a combo.
“Hinahayaan ko na lang ang sigaw ng crowd, iniisip ko na lang ng ‘Pilipinas’ ang sinisigaw nila,” said Petecio.
Petecio’s win somehow calmed the nerves of several PH officials – Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Dickie Bachmann included – following the elimination of swimmer Jarod Hatch in the 100m butterfly at the at the classy Paris La Defense pool.
“Nesthy is a great savior, hope she can go all the way,” said Bachmann.
Hatch clocked only 54.66 while those who made it to next round posted incredible times like Hungarian Kristof Milak who had an eye-popping 50.19 seconds.
The day also see rower Joannie Delgaco produce a breakthrough of a performance after finishing 20thin the 24-player field in the women’s single scull.
That achievement also made Delgaco richer by P50,000 – thanks to the generosity of the rowing association led by its president Pato Gregorio.
To top it all, she earned a three-month training grant from the government of Germany.
