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Indonesian President Joko Widodo has expressed his utmost gratitude to Filipino surfer Roger Casugay for his heroic act in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

KMJS featured surfer, hinangaan sa pagiging "SEA Games 2019 hero"

Roger helped Indonesian athlete Arip Nurhidiyat after the latter's surfboard's leash got broken during the men's longboard event at Monaliza Point in La Union.

"Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all," president Widodo tweeted as translated by Google. President Widodo originally wrote on his native language.

"My appreciation for Roger Casugay, a Filipino surfer who gave up the golden opportunity to help Indonesian athletes who fell in the race.

"Greetings from Indonesia."

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

Roger went on to win the gold medal against fellow Filipino Rogelio Esquivel.

He will also be the flag bearer of the Philippines in the closing ceremony of the SEA Games on December 11 in the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.