Two Golds: Malacañang congratulates female boxer, teen gymnast for historic wins

Boxer Nesthy Petecio was formally congratulated by the Philippine government today for winning the gold in the AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships in Ulan-ude, Russia yesterday.

Her victory came just one day after the win by teenage gymnast Carlos Yulo at the men’s floor division at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the female boxer’s victory was a “proud moment” for the country, adding “our people are one in rejoicing Nesthy’s triumph after winning against her Russian opponent in the latter’s turf country.”

Petecio, who’s been boxing for 20 of her 27 years, was already a three-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, and had beaten five opponents at the AIBA event before facing off against Russian boxer Liudmila Vorontsova in the finals, Rappler reports.

“We expect Nesthy to shine even more in the coming Southeast Asian Games to be held in Manila next month as she carries the flag with full pride and honor in front of her countrymen,” Panelo said.

Read: Filipino teen Yulo wins men’s floor world title

The government also praised Yulo on Sunday for his historic victory, the first for any Southeast Asian man.

“The Palace congratulates Carlos Edriel Yulo for making a historic win for the Philippines after securing the country’s first ever world artistic gymnastics gold in the men’s floor exercise yesterday in Germany,” Panelo said.

At 19 years old, Yulo was the youngest athlete to compete in Stuttgart, and great things are expected from him as he moves on to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to Inquirer Sports. Yulo himself noted that the win “will motivate me to work harder for the Olympics.”

A courtesy call with President Rodrigo Duterte will be in order once the athletes return to the country later this week.

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