Justin Kobe Macario is far from done.

Shortly after winning the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Macario declared readiness to chase a bigger goal in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October next year.

In the latest episode of Off the Court, the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE, on Thursday, the 23-year-old Macario stressed that his achievement in the SEA Games only made him hungrier to shoot for glory in the Asian Games.

The former University of Santo Tomas (UST) star emerged as the country’s first gold medalist after winning the men’s individual freestyle poomsae event on Wednesday at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Bangkok.

He posted 8.200 points to top the event and outshine six other competitors using a routine that included multiple flips and various kicks.

Shortly after that, he won a bronze medal in the mixed team event with Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Janna Dominique Oliva, Darius Venerable, Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape to emerge as the lone multiple medalist for Team Philippines so far.

Macario said he is far from his perfect form, but he will work hard to clinch another gold in the Asian Games.

“I still have a long way to go. I’m not yet done,” Macario said a day after winning the gold.

“From this competition, I want to improve my performance in the upcoming games like the World Championships and the Asian Games.”

It was Macario’s third stint in the SEA Games but first in poomsae, where those with solid form are rewarded.

“This is my third SEA Games but it’s my first time participating in an individual event,” Macario said.

“There were a lot of sacrifices that we had to go through. We had a lot of training and even on weekends, I had to put in extra effort.”

National team coach Rani Ann Ortega said nothing is cast in stone at the moment as Macario will still be fighting for a slot in the Asian Games.

Macario, however, has a solid chance with his impressive brew of determination, skills, grace and courage that is perfect for a future Asian Games medalist.

“Actually, next year is a very big year for us. We’re preparing for Asian Championships, World Championships, and Asian Games,” said Ortega, who is also a multiple SEA Games medalist.