Nesthy, Aira claim Paris berths

MANILA, Philippines — In an fateful Monday in Busto Arsizio, Italy, Team Phl unleashed its two remaining fighters who both came out with brave, triumphant feats to book berths in the Paris Olympics this July.

Fueled by a great determination to pursue gold in what could be her last Olympics, Tokyo Games silver medalist Nesthy Petecio delivered another epic result, besting feisty Turkish Esra Yildiz Kahraman, 4-1, in their 57-kilogram duel to earn a second Olympic tour of duty.

Making it a double celebration for the country was Aira Villegas with a 5-0 win over Bulgarian Zlatislava Chukanova in the women’s 50kg division.

The two lady fighters punched their way to an automatic Olympic passage, increasing the Philippine cast to six with early qualifiers Eumir Marcial also of boxing, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

The eight other Philippine bets in the Busto Arsizio conclave failed to make the grade, but have one final chance to chase their Olympic dream in the second qualification tournament in May in Bangkok, Thailand.

Taking a sorry exit due to an injury was Tokyo Olympics silver winner Carlo Paalam.

But Petecio and Villegas eased the pains and heartbreaks with their victories Sunday.

With grit, composure and superb fighting craftsmanship, Petecio hurdled Kahraman and lived her Paris dream.

In the French capital, the former world champion will have an opportunity to claim what she missed in Tokyo – golden moment.

“I am so blessed. This is very important for me because maybe this is my last Olympics,” said Petecio in a recent interview with olympics.com.

In the same interview, Petecio dedicated her feat to the country, family, friends, supporters and the late Ed Picson, the former Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president.

And then she made that promise of going for nothing but gold in Paris.

Villegas will surely pursue the same, especially with this special opportunity gained on an escape win over Chukanova.

Villegas got the nod of two judges, 29-27 and 29-27, with the three other judges having identical 28-28 on their cards. But based on tournament rules, judges will have to pick a winner in case their score ends in a tie. And they all picked Villegas.