Feted with one of the highest awards given out by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas beamed with pride for women boxers.
Paris 2024 bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas shared the privilege of being named President’s Awardees during the recently-concluded Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the Manila Hotel last Monday, Jan. 27.
After their stellar outing in last year's Olympic Games, the boxers were feted with one of the highest awards given out by the Philippine scribes, behind only double-gold medalist and fellow Philippine Centennial team member Carlos Yulo, who was named Athlete of the Year.
[RELATED: Carlos Yulo wins Athlete of the Year, Filipino Olympians feted at PSA Awards Night]
Having competed in a male-dominated sport like boxing, it was a delight for the two athletes to be able to fly the flag high not just for women boxers, but for all women athletes with their achievements.
In interviews done at the sidelines of the event, Petecio and Villegas both spoke highly of their fellow female athletes.
Peteico, now a two-time Olympic medalist, beamed with pride at sharing the award with Villegas, especially after seeing her teammate struggle through all the challenges she had to go through en route to the Olympics.
Now with more female boxers, women are getting more opportunities to shine.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud kasi alam ko yung hirap na pinagdaanan ng mga kasamahan ko. Unti-unti na nage-excel yung ibang teammates ko sa larangan ng sports and boxing,” Petecio told One Sports.
“Darating na rin [sila] sa pinakamataas na gusto marating nila so nakaka-proud po na nakakapunta sila sa Olympics. Madami na kaming nagr-representa ng Pilipinas,” she added.
Villegas, meanwhile, relished the opportunity for women athletes as they work towards getting equal footing with their male counterparts.
After proving themselves in sport’s biggest stage in the Olympics, Villegas said that it proves women belong in boxing and other combat sports.
“Sobrang grateful and proud as women sa larangan ng boxing at saka sa martial arts kasi hindi po basta-basta yung boxing. Lalo na sa aming mga babae. Sobrang nakaka-proud po kasi nakakahabol na rin po yung babae sa larangan ng martial arts sa lalaki,” she said.
Petecio, Villegas, and Yulo were among the top awardees in the PSA Awards Night that also honored the past and present Olympians from the Philippines as the country celebrated its centennial anniversary of participating in the Olympics.