Nesthy Petecio’s historic silver win is also for the LGBTQ+ community

The Philippines gained another Olympic medal when Nesthy Petecio bagged silver during the featherweight final on Tuesday. Her historic win is also another move in defying gender stereotypes — proving that anyone, including women, can excel in boxing as well.

The first Filipina Olympic boxing medalist expressed appreciation to her country, coaches, family, and a late friend. Petecio also didn’t fail to mention the LGBTQ+ community during a post-match conference, ‘I am proud to be part of the LGBTQ community. Sulong, laban! Para rin po sa LGBTQ community ang laban na ‘to.’

Pasensya na po kayo, silver lang nakayanan ko. Ginawa ko po lahat kanina sa taas ng ring. Salamat po ng marami sa dasal at supporta niyo. Higit sa lahat sa diyos! At safe kami pareho ng kalaban ko. Babalik po tayo Mas Malakas. pic.twitter.com/7WJxrNHb9c

— Nesthy Petecio (@nesthypetecio11) August 3, 2021

‘Sobrang proud po ako bilang member ng LGBT community, hindi ko po tinatanggi ‘yun,’ Petecio said. While the Davao-based boxer always had been vocal about her sexual orientation on social media, this was the first time she addressed it in public.

‘Kahit anong gender natin, basta may pangarap tayo, laban po. Hayaan mo yung mga taong may mangda-down sa’yo, kung ano ang sasabihin nila,’ she added.

Petecio’s silver finish ended the 25-year-long wait for a boxing podium match, which Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco last accomplished during the 1996 Atlanta Games. He also brought home a silver.

The country officially has two medals from the Tokyo Games as of writing.

Banner: Luis Robayo/Reuters

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Source: we the pvblic