Nesthy Petencio and her National Open Boxing Championship gold medal. (Photo by Robert Vincent Gonzales of the Davao Sportswriters Association)

DAVAO CITY — Fifteen-year-old Nesthy Petencio took up the sport at age 11 under the mentorship of her own father Teodoro, who trained other boys to box.

After four years, Petencio placed Davao City in the limelight when she defeated the daughter of SEA Games gold medalist and Cagayan de Oro boxing coach Roberto in the 50-kilogram final of the National Open Amateur Boxing Championship in Cagayan de Oro City.

Third District Councilor Louie Villafuerte supported her campaign after she received an invitation from Amateur Boxing Associationof the Philippines-XI Commissioner Ramon Revamonte of Panabo City.

Petencio did not disappoint Villafuerte and her supporters like Iluminda Farms, teachers and principal of the Enrique Bustamante National High School when she brought the gold medal back to Davao City and presented it to sportswriters on Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.

Nesthy came with her mother Priscilla at the weekly Forum to show her continued support. `We just want to support her,’ said the mother who bared that her daughter is just waiting for a call from ABAP Secretary General Roger Fortaleza to report in Manila and become a member of the national training pool.

The young Petencio said she wanted to be a member of the national team and carry the Philippine colors in future international tournaments.

Aside from showing her gold medal, she displayed the speed and agility that won her a gold medal that awed the Davao media who saw her shadow fight for the first time.

`I just want to thank those who helped me,’ said Nesthy, who now holds a 12-0 win-loss record as an amateur fighter.

The ABAP has eight women fighters in its fold and Nesthy will soon be its ninth boxer to be trained.