Justin Macario overcame nerves to deliver first PH gold in 33rd SEA Games

Justin Macario flaunted calm and composure as he delivered the country’s first gold medal in the men's freestyle poomsae of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand on Wednesday.

But the taekwondo jin shared that he actually had to overcome nerves since it’s his first time competing in an individual event after playing with a team in the past.

"Nong una pong in-announce 'yung line-up namin, kinabahan po ako kasi hindi ako sanay sa SEA Games (individual) puro team po 'yung mga past SEA games ko po," Macario told GMA Integrated News' Jonathan Andal, a part of POC Media.

"And grinab ko po itong opportunity na 'to para maglaro and i-represent po yung country po."

(When our lineup was first announced, I was nervous because I’m not used to competing as an individual in the SEA Games, all of my past SEA Games were as part of a team... I grabbed this opportunity to play and represent the country.)

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That's why being the first gold medalist for the Philippines in the ongoing biennial meet in Thailand came as a surprise for the young athlete, who had experiences competing in other high-profile events like the World Championship and Asian Championship.

"Nagulat din po ako kanina na ako po yung unang gold ng Pilipinas po. And sobrang saya po dahil isang karangalan pong makauwi ng ginto for the country po," he added.

(I was also surprised that I got the first gold for the Philippines. And I’m so happy because it’s an honor to take home the first gold for the country.)

Macario ruled the event by scoring 8.200, edging Atchariya Koedkaew of host Thailand who snagged the silver. Ken Haw Chin of Malaysia and Darren Yap of Singapore, meanwhile, both settled for bronze. 

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News