President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos expressed their immense pride in Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio's achievement after she clinched a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday, August 8 (Manila time).
"Congratulations, Nesthy! Thank you for bringing home the bronze medal for the Philippines. You’ve truly shown the world how Filipinos never back down from a challenge. The whole country is proud of you! 𝘛𝘢𝘢𝘴 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘰, 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰," the President wrote in a social media post.
Meanwhile, First Lady Marcos also took to social media to congratulate Petecio.
"Another Filipina has punched her way to an Olympic medal — a proud moment for all of us!" said the First Lady. "Thank you for giving a good fight, Nesthy! You are truly a Filipino boxing champ in our hearts!"
Petecio lost to Julia Szeremeta of Poland via split decision, with scores of 28-29, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in the semifinals of the women's boxing 57 kilograms division.
The two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist dominated the opening round but was outscored by her Polish opponent in the last two rounds.
Petecio, who won a silver medal in the previous Olympics held in Japan, secured a podium finish in the Paris Games after besting Zichun Xu of China in the quarterfinals.
As of now, the Philippines has secured two gold medals, both won by gymnast Carlos Yulo, and two bronze medals, one earned by Petecio and the other by Filipina boxer Aira Villegas.
