Nesthy Petecio grateful for support as Olympic campaign ends

Nesthy Petecio said she is grateful to those who supported her as the boxer's campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics came to an end on Thursday.

Petecio settled for a bronze medal after falling short against Poland's Julia Szeremeta in the semifinals.

Holding back her tears, Petecio said she was grateful that she was safe during the match.

"Pinipigilan kong umiyak. Unang-una, nagpapasalamat po ako kay Lord dahil niligtas niya ako sa laban kanina,” Petecio told Soriano, who is part of the Philippine Olympic Committee media group, in a 24 Oras report on Thursday.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa pamilya ko, inabangan nila ang laban ko." 

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas, meanwhile, said what is more important is how Petecio handled the loss.

"Masakit at I’m more in pain for the boxers, but ang importante is how she took it --  with pride, nasa gitna siya ng ring, she raised her hands, she bowed to everybody," Vargas said.

Petecio became the first boxer who copped two Olympic medals as she also had a silver in Tokyo three years ago. Aside from Petecio, boxer Aira Villegas also had a bronze medal.

The Philippines currently has a total of four medals, including Carlos Yulo's two gold medals.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News