Petecio punches bronze to become first two-time Olympic medalist in boxing

Despite her co-Olympic medalists Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial getting knocked down early in the 2024 Paris edition, Nesthy Petecio made sure to rise until another podium finish. Petecio finished with bronze after succumbing to younger and more agile Julia Atena Szeremeta of Poland via split decision, 4-1, in the semifinals of women’s 54 kg, cementing her name in the prestigious list of multiple Olympic winners, Aug. 8. The Filipina boxer started her route towards a finals return strong and asserted dominance over the less-experienced Polish, connecting combinations one after another in the first round, which was given to her by the judges. Szeremeta did not falter and remained in her open stance during the second round, showing no fear against the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist. The Polish fighter also managed to get close—literally and figuratively—landing punches in close-range encounters to get the second round, leaving no opportunities for a one-sided bout. During the final round, Petecio continued targeting her opponent’s body, while Szeremeta stuck with close hits, which seemed to successfully get her momentum as she even tried to hype up the crowd at one point in the decisive round. With the decision siding in favor of the Polish boxer, spoiling her return trip to a gold medal attempt, Petecio was puzzled with the judges’ call. “Sobrang labo. Sobrang labo talaga pero ‘yun nakikita nila so wala na tayo magagawa po. Siguro hindi ko alam ‘yung nakikitang side nila, so sila na ‘yun and nirerespeto ko ‘yun,” Petecio said. “Akala ko akin na ‘to this time,” Petecio added. The Davao del Sur-raised fighter will join the likes of swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and gymnast Carlos Yulo in the elite roster of athletes who have won more than one medal in the Olympic games.