Two-time Olympic boxing medalist Nesthy Petecio has returned to her roots in Barangay Tuban, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, not for a victory celebration, but for a crucial period of rest and recovery. Following her campaign at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games and a necessary surgical procedure, the champion fighter is prioritizing her health and long-term dreams.
A Homecoming for Healing and Recharge
On January 13, 2026, Petecio was photographed at her family's outdoor training area, marking a quiet return after the intense competition in Bangkok. In an interview, she emphasized that this visit was a essential break. "Bakasyon gyud gamay (It's really just a short vacation)," Petecio stated. "I always come back to recharge. They are my strength. They give me fresh inspiration." Her return follows a bronze medal finish in the women's 63-kilogram class at the SEA Games, a result of a close split-decision loss to Indonesia's Hasanah Huswatun in the semifinals.
Overcoming Pain and a Pivotal Surgery
The SEA Games performance came with unseen challenges. Petecio admitted to entering the tournament underprepared, having trained for only one month and moving up from her natural 57 kg division to 63 kg. More critically, she competed while managing a severe, lingering eye injury that flared up a week before the Games, causing pain she described as like having shards of glass in her eyes.
This injury, which existed even before her Paris Olympics campaign, finally required decisive action. After the SEA Games, Petecio underwent surgery on both eyes at the American Eye Center in Manila. The recovery has been demanding, involving restricted vision and limited daily activities. "It's very difficult," she confessed, acknowledging the forced stillness and the vital support of her partner and family during this private struggle.
The Unwavering Path to Olympic History
Now, with her health as the primary focus, Petecio's ambition remains laser-sharp. She has learned from her recent experience, vowing that "one month of training is no longer enough" for future fights. Her plan is a disciplined return to her optimal 57 kg weight class under World Boxing's new system, building meticulously towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Her ultimate goal is unchanged: to secure the first Olympic gold medal in boxing for the Philippines. "I'll keep going," Petecio declared with resolve. "No stopping until there's gold." She added that she would celebrate joyfully if another Filipino athlete achieves that historic gold first, but for now, Nesthy Petecio is using her time at home in Davao del Sur to reset, heal, and quietly prepare for her final, historic run.
