SEA Games 2025: Taekwondo's Justin Kobe Macario did not expect to win Philippines' first gold

Filipino taekwondo athlete Justin Kobe Macario did not expect to be the first athlete to win the Philippines first gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

Macario, 23 years old, an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas, won the men’s freestyle event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on December 10.

He scored 8.2 in the event, beating five other competitors. He narrowly beat Koedkaew Atchariya of host country Thailand who score 8.1. Malaysia's Chin Ken Haw came in third place with a score of 7.74, according to the medal tally on the official website of the SEA Games.

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Macario did not expect to be the first among 1,500 Filipino athletes representing the country in various competitions in Bangkok and Chonburi.

Olympics.com said these Filipino athletes represent the 'largest ever squad" sent by the Philippines to the SEA Games.

In the PNA report, Macario said he was very happy to be the first gold winner for the Philippines and he credits his success to his training with his coaches Rani Ortega and Jeordan Dominquez.

The SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event that brings together athletes from Southeast Asia. First held in 1959, the SEA Games promotes friendship and sportsmanship among participating countries.

-Veronica Pulumbarit and Nathalie Pagkatotohan/Paraluman News