Pinoy surfer sets aside chance of winning SEA Games 2019 gold to rescue Indonesian competitor

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A gold medal is indeed nothing to a man with a heart of gold.

Filipino surfer Roger Casugay was hailed for his sportsmanship after he gave away his chance to win a gold medal to save his Indonesian competitor during the surfing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in San Juan, La Union on Friday, December 6.

According to media reports, the surfing board leash of Indonesia’s Arip Nurhidayat snapped in the middle of the competition. Witnessing how his rival was being swept away by the waves, Casugay, who is representing the Philippines in the men’s longboard open category, came to the rescue, not minding the ongoing gold medal battle.

Based on a series of photos posted by netizen Jefferson Ganuelas on his Facebook account and was shared by 2019 SEA Games on its Facebook page, the two surfers were seen riding Casugay’s board as they went back to the shore. The two were then greeted by the audience with cheers and applause.

Learning about Casugay’s act heroism and selflessness, the Filipino netizens could not be more proud of their fellow countrymen.

The United Philippine Surfing Association also praised Casugay, calling what he did as “Sportsmanship at its finest.”

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In a report by ABS-CBN News, the Indonesian surfing team expressed their gratitude to the Filipino surfer and lauded him for his effort to save his competitor who was in distress.

“Thank you to all the Filipinos and also to Roger Casogay. He coming toward our rider and helping each other. They stand up together in one board, that’s what we call we win as one,” Indonesian surfing coach Arya Subyatko said as quoted as saying in the report.

Following the incident, the competition was put on hold until further notice.