Jokowi thanks Casugay for saving Indonesian surfer

Indonesian president Joko Widodo on Monday thanked Filipino surfer Roger Casugay for saving his compatriot at the Southeast Asian Games.

"Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all," Widodo tweeted in 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

     Casugay rescued Arip Nurhidayat      on Friday after the Indonesian broke his leash and got swept by the waves in the middle of the surfing competition in La Union.

WATCH: SEA Games surf hero previously featured on KMJS

The Filipino, who won hearts on social media with his kind deed, eventually won the gold medal in the men's longboard on Sunday.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

—MGP, GMA News