"That’s my next goal," said the 23-year-old, 6-foot-2 Rosario, now more confident and more matured, during a break in training at the world-class PNSA range in Muntinlupa City. "I have yet to compete in the Asian Games. I hope to make it this time."
Rosario tallied a total of 138 points to beat a couple of Malaysians for the individual gold and then shared the team gold with Darius Hizon and Patricio Bernardo in the last SEAG.
His double triumph came two months after he snatched the individual skeet gold in the SEASA (Southeast Asian Shooting Association) championship in Kuala Lumpur where he outsteadied a Thai in the shootoff.
Rosario’s entry into the shooting world at the tender age of 13 was largely influenced by his father Pol, himself a former national skeet shooter.
"I am working much harder now because I would like to improve my SEAG performance," said Rosario, a marketing graduate of Thames International School. "With more international exposure, I know I’d be able to achieve my goal."
Rosario won his first gold medal at 17 in the 1999 pre-SEA Games invitational tournament organized by Prince Sufri in Brunei. He was part of the RP team that bargged a silver in Brunei during the 1999 SEAG. The he captured two SEAG individual silvers-one in KL in 2001 and the other in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2003.
"I know that if I make it to the Doha Asiad, I’d be up against tough opposition. But like in the recent SEA Games, I’m ready to give my best for flag and country," Rosario said.