UMANI ng paghanga at papuri si hero surfer Roger Casugay mula sa mga Pinoy at SEA Games participants, hanggang kay Indonesian president Joko Widodo dahil sa pagpapakita ng karakter at ‘true sportsmanship’.
Ang Filipino surfer ay hindi malilimutan sa pagligtas sa kanyang katunggaling Indonesian na si Arip Nurhidayat sa isa sa heats sa kanilang longboarding competition, makaraang maputol ang tali ng longboard ng huli.
Dahil sa kanyang kabayanihan, si Casugay ay napiling maging Philippine flag bearer sa closing ceremony ng regional biennial meet.
Kalaunan ay nakuha ni Casugay ang gold medal sa men’s longboarding event makaraang gapiin ang kanyang teammate na si Jay-R Esquivel noong Linggo.
“These Games are not only about medals. It is about character, resilience, love for one another and shoring up the faith of the person next to you, something that Casugay has exemplified,’’ wika ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.
Si Casugay ay makatatanggap ng financial bonanza at inaasahang bibisita kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte matapos ang SEA Games.
“The SEA Games awakened the bayanihan spirit and volunteerism among us. The very spirit shown by the heroism of Roger who gave up his chance for a golden finish to save an opponent at risk of losing his life to the very waves they play in,’’ ani Ramirez. “Truly a class act, a solid show of the Filipino spirit.’’
Maging si Indonesian President Joko Widodo ay todo papuri sa Filipino surfer.
Subalit habang ang lahat ay itinuturing siyang bayani, binigyang-diin ng La Union native na hindi siya isang bayani.
“I’m no hero. He’s (Nurhidayat) a good swimmer, I just calmed him down,’’ ani Casugay.
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