Nesthy Petecio made history by bagging a silver medal on Tuesday, Aug. 3. She is the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal in boxing.
The 29 year-old fighter from Davao del Sur reportedly dedicated her win in the inaugural featherweight division to her family, country and a bestfriend who had passed away. She also thanked her coach Nolito Velasco. Despite what some described as a close fight, Japan’s Sena Irie denied Petecio of the gold medal, which she won via unanimous decision.
The news was met with elation by Petecio’s fans in the Philippines, including real estate tycoon Dr. Andrew L. Tan, who is giving the country’s first silver medalist in the women’s Olympics boxing featherweight division a P10-million residential condominium unit in One Lakeshore Drive inside the 11.2-hectare Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City.
The gift, which is a fully-furnished unit, will be in a live-work-play township community highlighted by a grand park and lake right at the heart of Davao City, which is just a little over an hour away from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the hometown of the Filipina boxer. The township will have commercial and retail hubs, office towers, school, and a state-of-the-art hospital.
Philippine Airlines is also offering Petecio 60,000 miles per year, for life. This is equivalent to four (4) roundtrip domestic flights, two (2) roundtrip regional flights, or one (1) Roundtrip flight to Australia, Middle East or Honolulu.
Petecio’s win in Tokyo ties with Onyok Velasco’s silver medal finish in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. It is also the country’s third silver in boxing, the first being Anthony Villanueva’s, which was also won in Tokyo in 1964.
In an interview with ESPN, Petecio, who won hearts with her inspiring Olympic journey said that she has set her sights on the next Olympic games. “We’re still chasing the gold. We’re not done! There’s still Paris in 2024,” she said.
