BANGKOK — Two-time Olympic medalist and two-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion Nesthy Petecio is set to begin her campaign for a third gold medal on Wednesday at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center.
Petecio, a seasoned athlete, is a strong contender in the sport, and her experience will surely be put to the test as she takes on tough opponents in the women's 60-kilogram (kg) class.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is confident that Petecio can bring home another gold medal in the biennial meet.
Tolentino praised Petecio's skills, naming her among the top Filipino boxers to watch, alongside Eumir Marcial and Weljon Mindoro.
"Despite going against the powerhouse [and host] Thailand boxing team, I know they are capable of vying for a medal," he said.
Petecio has proven her mettle, clinching back-to-back golds in the 2019 and 2023 editions of the SEA Games.
Petecio's impressive resume includes a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze at the 2024 Paris Games, making her a formidable force in her category.
The Philippines is banking on her, along with other talented boxers including Junmilardo Ogayre in the men's 60kg division, Jay Bryan Baricuatro in the men's 48kg division, Filipina boxer and former kickboxer Claudine Veloso in the 54-kg category, and Flint Jara in the men's 54kg as well as three-time SEA Games gold medalist and defending champion Ian Clark Bautista and Olympian Hergie Bacyadan.