DAVAO DEL SUR — The triumph of Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio against her Colombian opponent during the women’s featherweight match at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 brought tears and joy to her family, who were watching on TV in Barangay Tuban, Santa Cruz town Wednesday morning.
After the fight, Petecio immediately called her family to share her latest achievement. She also received greetings and congratulations from them for bringing pride to the country.
The family also gave moral support for her two more boxing matches as they are optimistic that she can snatch the second gold medal for the Philippines.
“Sobrang saya. Napaiyak po ako sa sobrang saya. ‘Yung mama at kapatid ko, iyak ng iyak kasi first time po ito sa pamilya ko, ‘yung ganitong kaligayahan,” her brother, Norlan Petecio, told ABS-CBN News.
(So happy. I cried with so much joy. My mom and brother are crying because this is the first time in my family that we felt this kind of happiness.)
Norlan said Nesthy’s Olympic victory would uplift their family’s life as she is considered their breadwinner.
“Malaking tulong ‘yan kasi si ate ang bumubuhay sa amin since 7 years old ako. Hanggang ngayon, siya ang nagbibigay ng puhunan para sa amin,” he said.
She’s a big help because my sister has been supporting us since I was 7 years old. Until now, she has been providing the investment for us.)
He recalled that their father was initially against his daughter taking up the sport when they were young because of her gender. But when he saw her exceptional strength, even defeating a male opponent in an amateur boxing match in Davao City, their father supported Nesthy’s boxing dreams.
“Sobrang lakas ng kapatid ko kasi na-sparring ko siya. ‘Yung mga patama niya sa akin, masakit talaga. Kahit mga lalaki, hindi talaga makainda sa sakit ng suntok niya,” he said.
(My brother is very strong because I sparred had with him. The moments that she had hit on me, it really hurts. Even men can’t really cope with the pain of her punches.)
