Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio in action against Indonesia's Hasanah Huswatun in the semifinals of the women's 63kg class in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 13, 2025 at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media
(UPDATED) Filipina Olympian Nesthy Petecio will settle for a bronze medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after a shock defeat to an Indonesian foe in the semifinals of the women's 63kg class, Saturday afternoon.
Petecio appeared to be in complete control of her bout against Hasanah Huswatun at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, repeatedly landing the cleaner punches and evading her opponent's attacks.
The judges saw differently, however, with three of them scoring the bout in favor of Huswatun.
Petecio, who has won an Olympic silver and bronze, was fighting for the first time at the 63kg class (light welterweight) after previously campaigning at bantamweight (54kg), featherweight (57kg) and lightweight (60kg).
"First time ko sa timbang na 'to, 63. Mabigat nga siya pero andoon pa rin 'yung lakas ko, andoon pa rin 'yung speed ko," Petecio told POC Media after her bout.
"Nire-respeto ko 'yung decision ng judges," she added. "Pero kita naman sa laro … Kahit ako, alam kong lamang ako doon. Pero ayun nga, nire-respeto ko 'yung sa judges."
The 33-year-old Petecio had advanced outright to the semifinals and was hoping to add another gold to her haul of six SEA Games medals.
Instead, it will be Huswatun who will challenge home bet Somnuek Thananya for the top spot in the podium.
Petecio says she will now turn her attention to the Asian Games next year in Japan.
Meanwhile, another Filipino boxer is assured of a bronze medal as well, after Flint Jara scored a split decision over Indonesia's Daud Flanuari Yerikho in the quarterfinals of the men's 54kg weight class.
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