By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
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Not all sports heroes are medal winners.
One can be a hero by doing more than winning a gold medal.
If one wins a gold medal and comes up with a heroic act especially against an opponent then that’s a unique accomplishment.
Well, that’s the special case of surfer Roger Casugay.
For his bravery and unselfishness, the Philippine Sports Commission has included Casugay when Team PH pays a courtesy call on President Duterte for a job well done sometime next week.
Aside from a plaque of recognition, Casugay will get an additional cash incentive.
PSC chairman Butch Ramirez bared this in a statement of Monday, saying that Casugay’s action embodies the Filipino athlete’s true spirit of heroism, sportsmanship and sacrifice.
“I will include Roger (Casugay) in our awarding in Malacañang to meet the President. The PSC will also give him a plaque and cash incentive to be approved by the Board,” Ramirez said.
The PSC also announced that Casugay will be the country’s flag-bearer in the closing rites on Wednesday.
A strong PH bet in the men’s longboard open event, Casugay gave up his chance of advancing to the next phase by rescuing his Indonesian rival Arip Nurhidayat in the middle of the third round preliminaries last Friday.
Large waves swept away Nurhidayat after his surfboard leash broke.
His act of heroism had gone viral on social media and drew praises from the public.
