Nesthy Petecio dominates Serbian foe to kick off Paris Olympics qualifiers

Nesthy Petecio opened her road to the 2024 Paris Olympics on a rousing note by earning a first round stoppage against Andela Brandkovic of Serbia in the women’s 57 kg division of the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Italy.

The 31-year-old fighter did so by knocking out the Serbian bet after 62 seconds in the first round en route to the victory. 

Petecio, who delivered a silver medal during the Tokyo Olympics, will have to win at least her next four matches and reach the final round as only the two finalists will earn a berth for this year’s Summer Games. 

Aside from Petecio, nine more Filipinos will see action in the said qualifiers with Carlo Paalam eyeing for a return trip to the quadrennial event, alongside Rogen Ladon, Mark Fajardo, Ronald Chavez, John Marvin, Aira Villegas, Claudine Veloso, Riza Pasuit, and Hergie Bacyadan. 

Ladon had already seen action also last Monday and drew a 4-1 split decision victory against Federico Serra of Italy in their men’s 51kg clash while Pasuit fell prey to Krisandy Rios of Venezuela, 0-5, in the women’s 60kg category. 

Four Filipinos have punched their tickets to the Paris Games with pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxer Eumir Marcial, and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan already qualified. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News