World champion Nesthy Petecio is one win away from Tokyo Olympics berth

Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio is one step closer in making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The world champion dominated her Sri Lankan foe Krismi Langkapurayalage, 5-0, in the women's featherweight division of the Asian-Oceanian Olympic Qualification Tournament on Wednesday in Amman, Jordan.

With the win, Petecio only needs to defeat Japanese Sena Irie on Sunday for a spot in the semifinals and an instant ticket to the Olympics.

"Sobrang focused ako dito. Baka ito na ang last chance ko to be an Olympian. Kailangang seryosohin lahat ng laban," said the 27-year-old Petecio, who is seeded no. 1 in the tournament.

Meanwhile, former Olympian and now head coach of the national women's boxing team Reynaldo Faliso said he is confident Petecio will deliver at the Sunday showdown.

"Maganda ang kinikilos ni Nesthy ngayon. Last time sila nagkita sa World Championships, 4-1 ang panalo ni Nesthy sa kanya," Galido said.

"Sila ang mag-adjust ngayon pero handa kami," he added.

In other matches, Filipina Riza Pasuit added another win for the Philippines after squeaking past Japan's Saya Hamamoto, 3-2, in the 60kg lightweight match.

Meanwhile, World Championships silver medalist Eumir Marcial, who is also seeded no. 1 in his division, will see action for the first time against Australian Kirra Ruston on Thursday.

James Palicte will go up against Uzbekistan's Elnur Abduraimov in the lightweight category on Thursday after drawing a bye in the first round of the preliminaries.

A total of seven athletes hope to get slots in the Olympics via the qualifiers, which will run until March 11. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/MGP, GMA News