Petecio's silver medal in boxing earns praise from Palace
The government joined a jubilant nation in praising Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio on her silver medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Petecio has brought honor and pride to the nation following her Olympic feat, adding the young fighter still has a chance to reach for a gold medal in the next Games.
"We congratulate Nesthy. She made us very proud. As usual, ang kuwento po ni Nesthy ay kuwento ng buong sambayanang Pilipino. Tayo ay naghirap, nangarap, nagwagi. Tagumpay po ang silver medal ha, huwag natin kakalimutan (The story of Nesthy is the story of the Filipino nation. We suffered, dreamed and won. A silver medal is still a triumph, let's not forget that)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, August 3.
"Dahil bata pa naman si Nesthy, mayroon pang susunod ng Olympics para makakuha ng ginto pero (Since Nesthy is still young, there will be the next Olympics to clinch the gold but) as as it is, we are very proud as a nation of Nesthy. Mabuhay ka " he added.
READ: Nesthy Petecio yields to Japanese foe, settles for boxing silver
Petecio clinched the silver medal after yielding to Japanese fighter Sena Irie in the women’s featherweight division of the Tokyo Olympics Tuesday. Her silver medal finish came after the historic gold haul of Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
The Palace, meantime, congratulated Carlo Paalam on his latest Olympic triumph and wished him luck in his next match.
Paalam beat defending Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in their flyweight quarter-final match and earned a chance to fight for Olympic gold this Thursday.