(Eagle News) — Malacanang congratulated Filipino athletes who made advances in their games at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics today, Saturday, July 31, including Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio who is just a win away from another Olympic gold medal after winning in the semi-finals round.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the whole country is hopeful for the Filipino athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics. The other Filipinos who advanced in their games on Saturday were pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxer Carlo Paalam.
“We are one with the Filipino people in rejoicing the performance of our athletes in today’s schedule of games of the Tokyo Olympics,” Roque said.
“We congratulate Nesthy Petecio in winning the women’s boxing featherweight semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics and securing a second Olympic medal for the Philippines; EJ Obiena for leaping into the finals of the Men’s Pole Vault; and Carlo Paalam for clinching a quarter finals ticket in the men’s boxing flyweight class,” he said.
“The whole nation is praying for our athletes as their quest for an Olympic gold medal continues,” he added.
Petecio is just a win away from an Olympic gold after defeating Italy’s Irma Testa on Saturday, July 31. The championship round is set on Aug. 3.
EJ Obiena on the other hand is one of 14 athletes who advanced to Tuesday’s finals in Men’s pole vault. He finished 10th overall and fifth in Group B after three attempts at 5.75 meters on Saturday, July 31.
Meanwhile, Paalam, made it to the men’s flyweight quarterfinals after his unanimous win over Mohamed Flissi of Algeria who was a three-time Olympian. The Filipino boxer will be competing against Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan on Aug. 3 in the quarterfinals match.
Weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold on Monday, July 26.
(Eagle News Service)
