Nesthy Petecio still remembers her first boxing match vividly. At the tender age of 11, she drew a crowd in her hometown when she triumphed over a much older and taller opponent in a local competition against fighters from other barangays. “There were a lot of sporting events happening that day: sepak takraw, volleyball… But when they announced that the next match would feature a boy against a girl, the audience went straight to the boxing ring. So, that made me excited,” she shares in Filipino. She reveals the results of the match in her own words: “Well, he wasn’t completely knocked out—but he definitely felt my punches.”
Ever since that first victory, Petecio has consistently faced opponents taller and larger than her. The secret to her success, she says, lies in maintaining her composure. After two decades of fighting in the ring, she’s developed the wisdom to know when to dodge and the courage to strike when the opportunity arises. This philosophy extends beyond the boxing ring and into her personal life.
As a vocal member of the LGBTQ community and an athlete with immense expectations placed upon her, Petecio has navigated pointed comments about her identity and her performance in the sport. “When I encounter negative comments, I just laugh at it because I know that I’m not treading on anyone’s toes [by being who I am.]” And in her Olympic-qualifying match last March, she demonstrated her remarkable composure, securing a 4-1 split decision victory against her opponent from Turkey. Despite the opposing boxer’s aggressive opening, Petecio bided her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Over the years, Petecio has learned to command the ring, understanding that even her movements have been meticulously studied by her opponents. “The amount of emotional control I have in the ring, I get to bring into my personal life; I double the amount of discipline for my personal life,” she explains resolutely. “I can’t rush things […] Even though I want to lunge at them, I know I can’t right away because I know they’re waiting for me, too.”
Now, as she prepares for the Paris Olympics, anticipation is building for her chance to upgrade her silver medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to gold. The pressure is undeniable, but Petecio enters the ring brimming with confidence in herself and her rigorous training. She has toppled countless Goliaths before, and she’s prepared to do it again, several times over. This month, Vogue Philippines celebrates stories of grit, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Get to know more of the athletes who are shattering the glass ceiling of sports.
