The Philippine contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics gained two more members early Tuesday morning (Manila time) as boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas secured their spots in the prestigious games through the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
Petecio Dominates, Claims Olympic Berth
The battle-tested Petecio displayed her mastery in the ring, peppering Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman with body shots en route to a finals berth in the women's 57kg division.
This decisive victory not only propelled her to the championship round but also guaranteed her a place in the Parisian Olympics come July.
Villegas Scores Upset, Earns Olympic Debut
Joining Petecio in Paris is Aira Villegas, who pulled off a stunning upset against Bulgaria's Zlatislava Chukanova in the women's 50kg category.
Villegas' impressive performance earned her a unanimous decision victory and a coveted Olympic quota. This triumph marks Villegas' first Olympic appearance, making the achievement even sweeter.
Filipino Contingent Grows Stronger
Petecio and Villegas will join forces with fellow boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in Paris. The trio will be accompanied by pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, solidifying the Philippines' presence in various Olympic disciplines.
The Philippines continues to build a strong athlete roster for the Paris Games, and the boxing team's recent success adds a significant spark to the nation's Olympic aspirations.
