The 29-year-old pride of Davao del Sur also said Irie’s clinches affected her strategy to dominate her Japanese foe.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) – Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio admitted she and her coaching staff thought she won the third round in her gold medal bout against hometown bet Sena Irie.
“Akala namin lahat, lamang kami. Kahit ako po, iniisip ko na lamang ako,” Petecio said during a press conference after she clinched the silver for the Philippines on Tuesday.
[Translation: We all thought we were leading the match. I myself thought I was leading.]
When it was announced that the fight ended in a unanimous decision, Petecio knew it was in favor of the Japanese fighter.
“Ngumiti na po ako kasi alam ko na kung saan mapupunta,” she said.
[Translation: I just smiled because I knew what will be the outcome of this fight.]
Despite the loss, Petecio said she accepts the decision wholeheartedly and is proud of taking home the silver medal, the country’s second medal in this Olympic edition.
“Tinanggap ko nang buo. Malaking blessing sa akin kahit anong kulay ng medalya, (I accepted the decision wholeheartedly. It’s a big blessing for me to win regardless of the medal’s color)” said Petecio, who shared that she prayed for at least a bronze medal finish to make her Japan-based siblings return to the country.
Petecio also praised Irie for her grit in fighting for the Olympic gold medal.
“Parehas kaming gustong manalo kaya grabe ang saludo ko sa kanya,” she said.
[Translation: We both wanted to win that’s why I salute her for her effort.]
Petecio is the first Filipino female boxer to win an Olympic medal.
Her feat also ended the country’s 25-year medal drought in boxing. Onyok Velasco was the last to win in 1996 in Atlanta, also with a silver medal.
“Mas nakakapagod yakapin ka kesa makipagsuntukan. Mas nakakawala ng lakas ‘yun,” Petecio said.
[Translation: It’s more exhausting to get clinched than to exchange punches. Clinches wear you down faster.]
“Kung makikipagsabayan siya sa akin, alam kong may kalalagyan siya,” she added.
[Translation: If she went toe to toe with me, she would have known her place.]
