Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) – Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were the latest additions to the Philippine contingent for the Tokyo Olympics, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines said in a statement Friday.
The two boxers join Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial as the country’s boxing bets in the Tokyo Games slated this July. Their addition also increased the competing Filipino athletes in Tokyo to six, together with gymnastics sensation Carlos Yulo and bemedalled pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
Petecio and Paalam qualified for the 32nd edition of the Olympiad by virtue of their highest standing in their respective weight categories, as certified by the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force.
Paalam will be the country’s bet in the men’s flyweight division, while Petecio will play in the women’s featherweight class.
ABAP president Ricky Vargas appealed to the public to support the boxers’ chase for the elusive first Olympic gold medal.
“Let us all come together and focus on the challenges ahead not only of our boxers but all Filipino athletes. Now, more than ever, they need us to stand firmly behind them,” Vargas said.
Petecio, the 2019 AIBA women’s featherweight world champion, thanked her coaches and boxing officials for supporting them in their Olympic bid.
“I’m so grateful and blessed upon receiving this news. My coaches Nolito Velasco and Reynaldo Galido informed and congratulated me,” Petecio told CNN Philippines.
CNN Philippines correspondent Pauline Verzosa contributed to this report.
