Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio delivered a stunning performance at the North Paris Arena, defeating France’s Amina Zidani in the round-of-16 of the women’s 57kg weight class. Petecio’s victory silenced the home crowd and secured her place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After a tentative start, Petecio dominated the second round with powerful left hooks and solid combinations that left Zidani struggling. Despite a challenging third round, Petecio’s relentless attacks impressed four out of the five judges, who scored the bout in her favor (30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28), with one judge scoring it for Zidani (29-28).
The loss was a disappointment for Zidani, the third seed in the division, who had advanced to the round-of-16 with a bye. Petecio, a silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, now moves closer to another Olympic medal. She will face China’s Xu Zichun in the quarterfinals on Sunday evening.
Petecio’s journey to the round-of-16 included a decisive victory against Jaismine Lamboria, where she showcased her skill and agility to win unanimously. With her eyes set on the podium, Petecio remains a formidable contender in the ongoing Olympic competition.