Filipino Surfer Sacrifices SEA Games Gold To Save Indonesian Rival From Being Swept Away By Waves

“Hahaha. That’s the loser basketball team from XYZ Junior College.”

“There’s no point in joining that team bro, confirm lose all the way one.”

Those are some of the common refrains I have heard from friends when commenting about some of the sports teams in the schools I have attended.

Often, the value of an athlete is based purely on the results he or she has achieved, how many medals he or she bagged in the competition and whatnot.

Although excellence is, of course, desirable, the relentless pursuit of that has overshadowed other equally essential attributes of an athlete.

One of those is sportsmanship and one Filipino surfer demonstrated that impeccably.

Sacrifices Gold Medal

Two men were vying for the Gold in the longboard surfing event in the SEA Games 2019.

Suddenly, one of the men, Indonesian surfer Nurhidayat’s leash to the board, broke, and it threw him off his board.

He was also about to be bombarded by huge waves, which put his life in danger.

Seeing the dire and pressing situation, with no time to lose, Philippines competitor Roger Casugay had no hesitation.

He gave up on the race for the Gold and opted to save his fellow athlete instead.

He knew that if he waited for the officials and medics to arrive, it would be far too late and that it posed a serious danger to the life of his rival.

As the person closest to the Indonesian surfer Nurhidayat, Casugay knew that he had to be the one to save him.

Online, there are many people who commending Casugay for his sportsmanlike behaviour.

The surfing event has been postponed to a later date, but people are already saying that Casugay is the true champion; not due to his victory, but due to the fact that he championed the values of sport.

Good one, Casugay.

Perhaps next time we shouldn’t just congratulate the winners, but all athletes for competing fairly and for their intense resilience.