(Eagle News)–Filipino surfer Roger Casugay, who made headlines after giving up a sure gold medal to save his Indonesian competitor from drowning, went on to win the gold for the host country for that same sports event on Sunday, December 8.
Casugay garnered 14.50 points, 0.30 more points than fellow Filipino Rogelio Esquievel Jr., who had 14.20 points, to dominate the longboard open category.
The surfing competition first took place on Friday, but this was suspended later in the day after Indonesian surfer’s Arip Nurhidayat near-fatal encounter with strong waves.
The Indonesian’s leash had been detached from his surfboard, and was being hit by the waves when Casugay, who was in front of him and was a shoo-in for the gold, made a turn to save him from drowning.
The two athletes went back to shore together.
Casugay’s heroic deed was captured by a netizen in pictures which were shared by the SEA Games official Facebook account.