SEA Games Athlete Buries Gold Medals With Dad After He Died While He Was Competing

When I was going through National Service, a common refrain was that we were serving in hardship for “the ones behind us, not the ones in front.”

That meant that we did it for our parents, our family and friends.

During the recruits’ first field camp, we will receive our parents’ letters addressed to us. It serves to remind us that we need to make our parents proud in our actions and that we served for them.

During this time, even the manliest recruit will start bawling.

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National athletes, who represent their countries, probably feel that need to make their parents proud so much more.

Although thousands of adoring fans would be amazing, there would be no feeling like your parents beaming with pride as you came home victorious in a hard-fought battle.

Unfortunately, for one double-gold medallist at the 2019 SEA Games, he was unable to come home to that.

A Bittersweet Moment

Indonesian Athlete Edgar Xavier Marvelo had an amazing performance in the Gunshu and Daoshu events (under Wushu), clinching double Gold.

However, while Marvelo was competing in this final event, his father passed away.

Marvelo was not aware of this until he won the Gold medal.

Promptly after the competition, Marvelo returned in time for his father’s funeral.

Dedicated To Father

The filial son dedicated his two gold medals towards his late father.

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2 Gold Medals, for Papa❤️

A post shared by Edgar Xavier Marvelo (@edgarmarvelo) on

Marvelo also placed his gold medals into the coffin with his father inside it, truly showing that everything he did at the SEA games was to make his father proud.

Image: Instagram(@edgarmarvelo)

Beyond his impeccable skill at Wushu, Marvelo has shown something far more important; that he is a filial son and a good man.

I am sure his father is extremely proud of him.

Image: giphy.com

I’m not crying, you are.