Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday, December 9, took to Twitter to express his appreciation for Filipino surfer and 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Roger Casugay.
READ: More Valuable Than Gold: Philippine Team Surfer sacrifices chance at winning to save Indonesian competitor
Casugay went viral on social media on Friday, December 6, after he helped Indonesian rival Arip Nurhidiyat in the middle of the SEA Games 2019 men's longboard event at Monaliza Point in San Juan, La Union.
"To win a competition and uphold sportsmanship are important, but humanity is above all," Jokowi tweeted in Indonesian.
"My appreciation for Roger Casugay, a Filipino surfer who lost the chance to gain gold to save an Indonesian athlete from falling during the competition," Jokowi added.
Memenangkan kompetisi dan menjunjung sportivitas itu penting, tapi kemanusiaan di atas segalanya.— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 9, 2019
Apresiasi saya untuk Roger Casugay, peselancar Filipina yang melepas kesempatan meraih emas demi menolong atlet Indonesia yang terjatuh dalam lomba.
Salam hormat dari Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/5c5CJoccCQ
The preliminary event between Casugay and Nurhidiyat was rescheduled and Casugay defeated the Indonesian in the semifinals. The Filipino surfer then went on to bag the gold medal in the longboard open event against fellow Filipino Rogelio Esquivel on Sunday, December 8.
Casugay later said he doesn't consider himself a hero despite saving his Indonesian rival.
"No, I'm not a hero," the 25-year-old Filipino surfer said. "I didn't really save him from drowning. He is a good swimmer. I just calmed him down."
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This article first appeared on Rappler.
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