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    Nesthy excited for Norlan as Petecio siblings shoot for SEA Games gold

    Nesthy Petecio, Norlan Petecio go for SEA Games gold
    May 13, 2023
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    PHOTO: Reuben Terrado

    PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio will be fighting for the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games for the fifth time in her six appearances in the biennial meet.

    But this year’s edition has more meaning than the others as she is with her younger brother Norlan, himself battling for the gold for the Philippines. In fact, Nesthy said she is even more excited for his brother than her own bid for a gold medal in the SEA Games when she takes on Ratna Seri Devi of Indonesia.

    See Nine Filipino boxers reach gold-medal match at SEA Games

    Both are scheduled to compete for the gold on Sunday at the Chroy Chongvar Convention Center.

    “Hindi ako naeexcited para sa sarili ko,” said the 31-year-old Nesthy, who is 10 years older than Norlan and third among seven siblings. “Mas naeexcite ako para sa kapatid ko. First time niya ito. Sa kanya lahat ‘yung excitement ko.”

    “Pang-anim na SEA Games ko na ito. Alam ko na ‘yung feeling na makarating sa finals sa SEA Games. Naka-ilang finals na ako sa SEA Games. Sa kanya talaga ako mas naeexcited. Sa kapatid ko talaga.”

    Norlan’s SEA Games campaign started on a high note when he defeated Singapore’s Jun Jie Velvan Tan, 4-1, in the welterweight semifinals.

    “Sobrang saya ko kasi first SEA Games ko, hindi ko akalain na mapapasok ako sa finals,” said Norlan, the fifth oldest among the Petecio siblings.

    Nesthy Petecio

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    Like a lot of Filipino boxers, Norlan went into the sport to help his family get out of poverty. But his drive to become better was fueled when Nesthy made it to the Philippine team and won her first SEA Games medal, a silver, in 2011 in Jakarta.

    “Unang una talaga, sa kahirapan talaga,” said Norlan, when asked why he got into boxing. “Tinuruan kami ng tatay namin para mag-boxing.”

    “Na-inspire ako nung nakapasok si Ate Nes sa Philippine team. Parang naging pangarap ko na rin na makapasok sa national team kasi nakikita ko siya na pumupunta sa abroad,” said Norlan.

    Nesthy said Norlan learned to box at a very young age, and she saw the potential.

    “Bata pa lang kami, nakikita na niya. Kinalakihan na niya. Two years old, nagtetraining na siya. Mahirap na pigilan kung may potential din siya,” said Nesthy.

    Norlan finally made it to the national team in 2017, and Nesthy says it's because of their father, not her.

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    “Papa po namin ang nag-training talaga sa kanya. 15 years old, wala na ako sa bahay namin sa Davao. Bata pa lang siya nun. Mga six years old, nagboboxing na siya. Nakatutok na talaga sa kanya ‘yung papa namin,” said Nesthy.

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      Nesthy said Norlan has the capability to be one of the best especially with his height in his category, something that she doesn’t have.

      “Kita naman po ‘yung diperensya [sa height],” said Nesthy with a smile, when asked what Norlan has that she doesn’t. “Magaling po talaga siya.”

      While Norlan was working his way into the national team, Nesthy was giving pride to the Philippines as she became an Asian champion in 2019, the same year where she won her first SEA Games crown.

      During the pandemic, Nesthy ended a long drought for Philippine boxing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she bagged silver, the first time in 25 years the country earned a medal in boxing.

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      Carrying the name of an accomplished athlete may be pressure to some, but Norlan embraces the expectations that comes with being a Petecio.

      “Mas gusto ko ‘yun. Mas naiinspire ako kasi dahil medalist sa Olympics ang ate ko. Nasa goal ko na rin na kunin ‘yung mga naabot ni Ate,” said Norlan.

      Norlan takes on the defending champion in Bunjong Sinsiri of Thailand.

      Norlan’s willingness to succeed and follow the footsteps of her sister will be his driving force.

      “’Yung mga naabot niya,” said Norlan, when asked what his sister has that he also wants to possess.

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      PHOTO: Reuben Terrado
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