Indonesian president lauded Filipino surfing hero Roger Casugay

Indonesian president Joko Widodo on Monday thanked the Filipino surfer Roger Casugay for his heroic action to save a rival competitor Arip Nurhidayat at the SEA Games 2019.

"Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all. 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," Widodo wrote on Twitter, on Monday.

Memenangkan kompetisi dan menjunjung sportivitas itu penting, tapi kemanusiaan di atas segalanya.
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

— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 9, 2019

Casugay rescued Nurhidayat on Friday after the Indonesian broke his leash and got swept by the waves during the Man's longboard event at the SEA Games 2019 in San Juan, La Union, Philippines.