Filipina Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio now guides her young nephew on his journey to boxing, as he dreams of following in her footsteps to uplift their family and secure a brighter future.
Supportive Tato mode on for our dear Nesth-eyy.
Starting her journey in the boxing ring at just seven years old, Filipina Olympian Nesthy Petecio stepped into the sport with one clear purpose — to help her family. For young Nesthy, every competition wasn’t just about winning; it was her chance to lift those she loved from hardship.
Now, at 32, with a storied career that includes a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a hard-earned bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nesthy has achieved what many can only dream of. But her journey was far from easy.
The road to success was filled with setbacks, defeats, and moments of doubt, but through each struggle—both in and out of the ring—she fought her way to where she is today.
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That’s why, when she watched her young nephew step into the boxing ring, following in her footsteps, it stirred a deep mix of emotions.
Motivated by his own desire to help his family, Nesthy’s nephew entered the ring carrying the legacy of the Petecio fighting spirit.
"Hindi na talaga mapigilan.... unang sampa sa taas ng ring, may pamangkin," Nesthy shared on Instagram.
"Gusto niya din daw mag-boxing para makatulong siya kay mama niya. Tulad ng ginagawa ko daw. Gusto niya din manalo, para kapag may makuha siya premyo ibigay niya kay mama nya," she continued, her words filled with love and pride.
Though it’s hard for Nesthy to watch her young nephew face the same challenges she once did, her support for him is unwavering.
"Hindi na sana kelangan eh, kasi alam ko gaano kahirap sa boxing. Pero dahil gusto mo talaga, hindi lang dahil gusto mo mag boxing, kundi dahil gusto mo makatulong ka talaga kay mama mo at sa mga kapatid mo," she wrote, her heart full of both concern and encouragement.
"101% susuporta c tato sayo, kami lahat sayo. Ngayon pa lang, proud na proud na ako sayo win.. gagabayan ka namin, sasamahan ka namin sa pangarap na gusto mo," she added, offering not just her support, but a promise to stand by him in every step of his journey.
Nesthy’s story is one of perseverance, love, and sacrifice—now, she passes that same unwavering strength to the next generation of fighters in her family.