Petecio, Villegas wish boxing still part of 2028 Olympics

“Walang hinto hanggat walang ginto.”

Olympics bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio said this as she thanked all those who supported her and her fellow athletes in the Summer Games in Paris.

Petecio is not bothered by reports that boxing may not be included in the 2028 LA Olympics. She expects Team USA, which is composed of several boxers, to fight for the inclusion of the sport.

“Gusto ko lang po magpasalamat kasi mas napapansin na po yung sports ngayon  sa Pilipinas. Baka marami pa pong atletang mas magpursigi po,” Petecio told reporters in an ambush interview during their visit to the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

[I am thankful because of the attention sports in getting in the Philippines right now. More athletes would be more persistent.]

For her part, fellow Olympics bronze medalist Aira Villegas is also hopeful that boxing will be included in the 2028 Olympics.

“Gusto ko po talagang mag-Olympics ulit,” Villegas told reporters in an ambush interview.

[I want to be included in the next Olympics again.]

Villegas shared that she had many ups-and-downs as a boxer and that there were times when she wanted to quit.

“Hindi siya biro kasi po yung dugo’t pawis tapos malayo ka sa pamilya mo. I was 16 years old na nalayo ako sa family ko. At sobrang thankful ako sa brother ko kasi siya yung nakakita ng potential ko. I was 9 years old noong tinuruan niya ako ng boxing,” Villegas said.

[It's not easy .. you'll shed blood and sweat and you'll be away from your family. I was 16 years old when I started being away from my family. I am thankful to my brother for seeing the potential in me, I was 9 years old when he started teaching me.]

“Start po ng taon ko is grabeng bagsak po talaga. As in low. First fight talo agad. Tapos this year po, grabe po yung comeback this year,” she added.

[At the start of the year, I was really low. First fight, I lost. I am glad for this comeback.]

Her advise to athletes who want to give up, “Normal pong mahirapan as an athlete tapos sumuko. Ako, naranasan ko rin lalo na sa self-doubt tapos yung mga naririnig mo sa paligid mo… Bumalik ka po kung saan lahat nag-umpisa. Parang balikan mo kung para saan ito. So ako po, ang hilig ko talaga mag-reflect sa kung saan ako nanggaling.”

[It is normal for athletes to experience difficulties then give up. I also experienced having self-doubt and you would be hearing lots of noises. Go back to where you started, go back to your purpose. For me, I always reflect where I started.]

“Galing po kami sa wala. Tapos ito po. Dobrang napakabait po ng Panginoon,” Villegas added.

[I came from nothing and then this. God is really good.]

When asked how the government can further help athletes, Villegas recommended training areas like gyms be built, that their nutritional needs be prioritized, and that athletes be given uniforms and gear.

The House of Representatives is set to conduct a review of existing laws in order to provide more  support for Filipino athletes. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News