Metro Manila, Philippines – Justin Kobe Macario’s clean routine in the men’s Taekwondo Poomsae individual freestyle event secured the country’s first gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
The Philippine bet scored an 8.200 to outperform players from Thailand and Malaysia who placed second and third, respectively.
The event requires each player to incorporate a set of Taekwondo skills into their freestyle routine which mainly showcases advanced kicks, strikes, and blocks on the beat of their chosen music.
Macario will be vying for his second gold medal as he is slated to perform with fellow jins Darius Venerable, Jeus Yape, Nikki Oliva, and Juvenile Crisostomo in the sport’s mixed team freestyle event.
Meanwhile, the tandem of Jocel Ninobla and Patrick Perez took home the country’s second bronze medal under the recognized mixed pair category.
The pair was outshined by Singapore’s bets in the semifinals round and settled for a third-place finish.
Jerich Farr captured the Philippines’ first medal in the men’s downhill mountain bike event with a bronze earlier on Wednesday.
