WOMEN’S world boxing champion Nesthy Petecio is finally in the comforts of her family in her home in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, on Thursday.
“The feeling is surreal,” Petecio said. “I was holding back my tears when I gave them a hug. Being away for nine months was very tough.”
Petecio was away from her home for nine months, having been forced to stay at the Philippine Sports Commission training facilities at the Teachers Camp in Baguio City and PhilSports in Pasig City because of travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 28-year-old’s toughness on the ring didn’t show the moment she was met by her father Teodoro, mother Prescilla and brother Norlan.
“I just couldn’t help but cry, I really missed them,” she said.
The last time Petecio was home was last October when she proudly showed her family the gold medal she won at the International Boxing Federation World Championships in Russia.
She rushed back to Manila to resume training for the 30th Southeast Asian Games where she again clinched gold. After that, it was the Tokyo Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan, where she settled for a silver medal.
Petecio remain focused on joining Tokyo Olympics qualifiers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, who both won gold and got their tickets to the Games in the same Jordan qualifiers.
“There’s still a chance for the qualifying tournament next year. I will give my best,” she said.
While at home, Petecio will be under the watch of his father, a former boxer, to stay in shape.
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