Nesthy Petecio and the rest of the Philippine boxing team will be facing a formidable set of opponents when the action begins in the 19th Asian Games on Sunday at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium.
The 32-year-old Petecio will collide against top seed Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei in her opening assignment in the women’s 57 kg class in the tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The last time they crossed paths in the ring, Petecio eked out a close 3-2 decision in their Round-of-16 match in the women’s 57 kg class of the Tokyo Olympics.
But boxing coach Ronald Chavez, however, refuses to underestimate Lin.
“No. 1 agad natapat. Tinalo ni Nesthy ‘yan kaya hindi nag-medal sa Olympics. Pero hindi pa rin dapat magkumpiyansa,” said Chavez shortly after the draw on Saturday.
Four other Filipino boxers will have their hands full on opening day, including Tokyo bronze medal winner Eumir Marcial.
Boxing pro Marcial will swap punches against Mongolia’s Ganzorig Badmaarag in his first foray in the 80 kg division.
Another Olympian in Irish Magno will take on Nigina Uktamova of Uzbekistan in the women’s 54 kg, while Ira Villegas is set for a clash opposite Mongolia’s 21-year-old bet Yesugen Oyuntsetseg in the women’s 50 kg.
The other Filipino fighter who will compete on opening day is Mark Ashley Fajardo versus Tashi Wangdi.
Tokyo Olympics silver medal winner Carlo Paalam will make his debut in the 57 kg class against Abu Jaja of Jordan, while Aaron Jude Bado competes in the men’s 51 kg class against Thitisan Panmod of Thailand. John Marvin will test his mettle against Nepal Ra of Nepal in the heaviest class at 92 kg.
Only Marjon Pianar drew a bye in his opening bout in the men’s 71 kg to advance to the next round.
No Filipino boxer won a gold medal during the 2018 Asiad in Palembang, Indonesia. Rogen Ladon gave the country a silver medal, while Paalam and Marcial each got a bronze.
