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Tokyo Olympics: silver for Nesthy Petecio as Filipino falls short in her bid for gold against Japan’s Sena Irie
- Petecio claims silver medal after points loss to Japan’s Irie
- World Championship gold medallist falls short in bid to add Olympic gold
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Paul Rydingin Tokyo
Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio fell just short in her bid to add Tokyo Olympic gold to her 2019 World Championship win, losing by unanimous points decision to Sena Irie of Japan in the featherweight final at the Kokugikan Arena on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old Tokyo-based fighter leapt for joy before bursting into tears as the judges awarded her a unanimous points win, the first elite title of her short career.
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It was heartbreak for 29-year-old Petecio, who was the resounding favourite to claim gold against her inexperienced rival. Petecio’s silver medal is Philippines’ second medal of these Games to add to Hidilyn Diaz’s gold medal in weightlifting.
Petecio said tribute she was dedicating the silver medal to those closest to her.
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“This medal is not just for me: it’s for my country, it’s for my coach, for my best friend who died this year,” she said. “I dedicate this medal especially to my family, my country, to the Lord. Tears of joy, tears of joy.”
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