Sterling feat
Petecio wins gold in Russia boxing meet
CEBU CITY - When it rains it pours, indeed, for Nesthy Alcayde Petecio who captured the gold medal in women's 57 kilograms division of the 10th International Boxing Tournament in Honor of Konstantin Korotkov in Russia yesterday.
The 26-year-old, who started her amateur boxing career in Davao City, achieved the sterling feat on the heels of winning the golds in her past two international stints this year in the 1st Indian Open International Boxing Tournament in February and in the XXXV International Felis Stamm Tournament for Elite Men and Women in Warsaw, Poland in March.
Petecio, born in Tuban, Sta. Cruz of Davao del Sur, demolished Pakistani opponent Li Ok Byol, 4-1, in their championship bout.
"Lipay kaayo ko maski kapoy kaayo ko kay adlaw-adlaw ang dula pero kung makakuha og medal samot na gold mawala ang kapoy (I'm so happy though I'm so tired because I've been fighting everyday but when you win a medal particularly gold, the tiredness fades away)," she said in a Facebook video chat interview.
She, however, had to demolish perennial tormentor Chinese Yin Junhua, a Rio Olympics silver medalist, in the semifinals Saturday to arrange a titular showdown with the Pakistani.
She added in the vernacular, "God has been blessing me so much while before I could hardly win a gold abroad for how many years, just this year He already made me win three golds in three separate tournaments."
Head coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco, for his part, lauded Petecio who unleashed powerful jab and straights to the chin against her foe.
"Lahat ng strategy namin sa ensayo nagclick," Velasco said, which was also bared by Petecio who said that her coaches studied her rival and she just executed what she needed to do on top of the ring.
She then thanked her family, her source of inspiration, for their constant support and love; the people of Tuban and Davao City for believing in her and praying for her; her fellow Mindanaoans; Abap family led by Ricky Vargas and Ed Picson; and her coaches and teammates; and Philippine Sports Commission headed by Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
Petecio also wished her younger sister Nicezza to win the gold in the Philippine National Games boxing competition here this week.
Head coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco, for his part, lauded Petecio who unleashed powerful jab and straights to the chin against her foe. MLSA