WORLD STAGE
Nesthy Alcayde Petecio joins other members of the Philippines women's boxing team in a training camp in India for the upcoming Aiba Women World Championships BY MARIANNE L. SABERON-ABALAYAN / Editor
Bemedaled Nesthly Alcayde Petecio, born in Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur but started her amateur career in Davao City, joins the rest of the Philippines women's boxing team in preparing for the upcoming Aiba Women World Championships slated November 15 to 24 in New Delhi, India. National women's boxing head coach Nolito Velasco, in a Facebook interview with SunStar Davao yesterday, said the team is currently holding a training camp in India since November 3 and will wrap up on November 12.
Also in the team are former World 2012 lightweight champion Josie Gabuco (48 kilograms), Irish Magno (51 kgs), Aira Villegas (54 kgs) ad Carolyn Calungsod (60 kgs). Petecio, a former Aiba Women World silver medalist, is entered in 57 kg event. "Sa umaga kanya-kanya, sa hapon school sparring every other day," the seasoned coach said, adding that he also allows the boxers to spar on their own. A total of 14 countries are competing in the World tournament. The last time Petecio competed was in the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia last August where she bowed out in the round of 16 after a controversial loss to Chinese rival Junhua Yin. The latter may again meet in India and when they do clash against each other, Petecio is expected not to miss any opportunity to redeem herself.
The Asiad debacle stained her string of championships won this year including the 2nd Kapolri Cup Boxing Tournament Open in Manado, Indonesia; 10th International Boxing Tournament in Russia last May; 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.