By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Nesthy Petecio fell to Japanese foe Sena Irie via split decision in the 2020 Asia and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifiers.
Petecio’s loss will prevent her from an early seat to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but won’t stop her Olympic bid.
The Filipina slugger will have to wait for another shot on May 13 in the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held in Paris, France.
Tournament rules dictate that those who will qualify in the women’s semifinals will automatically have a slot in the Olympics.
Aside from Petecio, another Filipino boxer failed in his quest of an early Olympic berth.
Carlo Paalam also missed to punch an early ticket to the Olympics slot after falling to India’s Amit Panghal in their flyweight clash.
Only Eumir Marcial Felix managed to secure an early 2020 Tokyo Olympics slot after cruising through the men’s semifinals while holding the number one spot in his weight class.
