(UPDATED) Two Filipina boxers punched their tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating their opponents in the qualification tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy early Tuesday. 

Nesthy Petecio used precision and agility to emerge victorious in a thrilling semifinal match against her opponent, Esra Yildiz Kahraman of Turkey, in the Women's Featherweight (57kg) division.

After the first two rounds, Petecio secured a 20-18 lead on four of the five judges' scorecards before seeing Yildiz earning the unanimous favor of all five judges in the third round. Petecio kept her composure and ultimately emerged victorious with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

Her impressive performance earned her a well-deserved spot in the finals of the women's featherweight division, bringing pride to the Philippines and solidifying her reputation as a formidable boxer on the international stage.

Petecio promised to intensify their efforts and strive for excellence in securing another Olympic medal in Paris, after already winning silver in the Tokyo Games in 2021.

“Kung ano yung ginawa namin na preparation dito mas dodoblehin pa namin para makasecure ng kahit anong kulay pa po ng medalya ‘yan. Kung ano po ipagkaloob ni Lord. Pero mas maganda po yung ginto. Paghihirapan po namin yan. Paghihirapan ko po ‘yan,” she said.  

Aira Villegas clinched a triumphant win with a unanimous decision of 5-0 over her opponent, Zlatislava Genadieva Chukanova of Bulgaria, in the women's light flyweight (50kg) division.

Villegas dominated the first two rounds unanimously but received a penalty for holding, leaving an opportunity for Chukanova to make a comeback.  

After being knocked down in the third round by a powerful left straight to the head from Chukanova, Villegas showed resilience and determination, bouncing back to finish the fight.  

Villegas secured her spot for her Olympic debut with scores of 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 28-28, 28-28.

Villegas said the win is part of a long journey filled with hard work and sacrifices. 

“Tiwala lang po talaga sa Diyos, sa sarili, sa coaches and then para din sa pamilya ko, sa bayan, sa mga kasamahan ko,” shared Villegas.

Not as fortunate as Petecio and Villegas were Rogen Ladon, Claudine Veloso, Mark Ashley Fajardo, John Marvin, Ronald Chavez Jr., Hergie Bacyadan, and Riza Pasuit. However, they still have the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics through the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Due to the shoulder injury Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam sustained in his match against Mexican boxer Andrey Bonilla, Paalam decided to withdraw from the men's 57 kg division during the second round, on March 11.  

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino praised Petecio and Villegas for their achievement whiel also encouraging the Filipino athletes who have yet to punch their Olympic tickets.

"My heartfelt congratulations to Nesthy and Aira, they deserve to be in Paris," said Tolentino. "And to our athletes who have yet to qualify, and those who missed Paris here, never say never."

"It's a good timing because we are celebrating Women’s Month in March … imagine two women made it to the Olympics," he also said. "I'm really proud of Nesthy and Aira."

Petecio and Villegas joined fellow boxer Eumir Marcial in Paris, increasing the Philippines' athlete roster for the Olympics to six.

Other athletes who have already punched their tickets to the Paris Olympics are pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.