Nesthy Petecio settles for silver in women’s boxing

MANILA – Nesthy Petecio formally took the silver medal in the women’s featherweight boxing event of the Tokyo Olympics after bowing to Japan’s Sena Irie in the championship match on Tuesday at the Kokugikan Arena.

Despite Petecio’s gallant stand especially in Round 2, Irie took the gold by a unanimous decision.

Petecio opted to size up her opponent in Round 1, but with Irie landing good jabs throughout the round, all the five judges gave it to her.

Petecio delivered in Round 2, tagging Irie with solid strikes enough to get the nod from four judges, namely Alejandro Barrientos, Mariya Kavaklieva, Mohamed Besmi and Bakytzhan Bekpenbetov.

Only judge Manuel Vilarino found Petecio’s aggression not enough and still gave Round 2 to Irie.

Both boxers went at it in the final round, but with fatigue coming their way, it was reduced to a flinching game.

Only Vilarino had 30-27, while the other four judges had it 29-28 for Irie, who became the inaugural champion of the division.

The Philippines last won silver in men’s boxing through Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.