By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — In basketball, the idea of a Jordan and a Kobe playing side by side feels almost impossible — two icons whose pairing would be so rare and powerful that it borders on fantasy.
But for the Philippine taekwondo team, it was a reality and a pairing that is now synonymous to success.
Justin Kobe Macario, who prefers to be called by his nickname Kobe, and his coach Jeordan Dominguez, a former Southeast Asian Games medalist himself, delivered not only one but two medals in the poomsae events – the first of which the Team Philippines’ first gold in the biennial meet.
Kobe and Jeordan even shared an emotional moment together after winning the gold after the individual poomsae finals at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall, Wednesday, Dec. 10 here.
“Parang yung naiyak ako kasi… kasi nung 2019 yan. Ako yung naglaro sa event na yan. Then, nanood siya that time. Ako yung gold. So ngayon, na-oach ko siya. So alam mo yun, parang nagmix na lahat,” said Dominguez.
Just recently retired from the national team to focus on coaching, Dominguez couldn’t help but reminisce about his time especially with how Macario perfectly executed the five required skills and landing during his routine.
“Landings niya is very solid. Hindi siya nag-outbalance. Wala. So basically, sobrang linis nung pagkakagawa ni Kobe. Plus, nadala niya talaga yung performance niya, yung character niya talaga. So napakaganda nung performance niya. Like, best talaga,” said the amiable coach.
Dominguez added that Macario grew up watching him train and compete so seeing him, who he considered a dear younger brother, also win the gold in the individual poomsae was a surreal moment.
“Pareho kaming taga-Baguio. So nung nag start ako kasama siya. Training ako sa Burnham kasama siya. And then, nung last na naglaro ako ng SEA Games, nandun siya. And then, ngayon, siya naman na yung gold,” said Dominguez
“Second gold sya ng freestyle individual. So, I’m very happy,” he added.
In all, Macario is bringing home two medals – including a bronze in the men’s team — an achievement that could be a start for something bigger for the 23-year-old taekwondo jin.
And like their namesakes, Jordan and Kobe, this could be their very own passing of the torch moment.
