Roger Casugay

In this Philippine name, the family name is Casugay.

Roger Casugay (born March 10, 1994), is a Filipino surfer who competed for the Philippines at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He is the first Filipino to receive the Pierre de Coubertin Act of Fair Play Award of the International Fair Play Committee in recognition of saving a competitor in longboard semifinals of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Roger Casugay
Personal information
Born	(1994-03-10) March 10, 1994 (age 30)[1]
Residence	San Fernando, La Union
Height	158 cm (5 ft 2 in)[1]
Weight	58 kg (128 lb)[1]
Medal record Representing  Philippines Men's surfing Southeast Asian Games 2019 Philippines Longboard

Career

A native of San Fernando, La Union,^[2] Casugay represented the Philippines in the surfing longboard event at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games which his country hosted. Typhoon Kammuri (Tisoy) has affected the wave conditions at the surfing venue of the games.^[3]

His act during the longboard semifinals on December 6, 2019, was widely acclaimed when he saved Arip Nurhidayat, an Indonesian competitor from drowning risking a chance to win the longboard gold medal.^[4][5] Casugay was regarded as a "hero" on social media due to his deed, eventually won a rematch against Nurhidayat and bested fellow Filipino surfer Rogelio Esquivel for the gold medal.^[6]

Due to his deed, he was named as the flag bearer of the Philippine delegation at the closing ceremony and was conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu.^[6][7] He was also commended by the Senate through a resolution.^[8]

Prior to his stint at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, he competed at the 2018 Philippine Surfing Championship Tour where he finished 3rd.^[1]

In 2020, Casugay was recognized for his act in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games by the International Fair Play Committee and was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Act of Fair Play Award. He is the first Filipino to receive the award.^[9]

Personal life

Lisa Verweij, a Dutch, is Casugay's girlfriend. As of December 2019, they have been in a relationship for about three years.^[10]

See also

• Surfing at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games

References

1. "Athlete Profile: Casogay, Roger". 2019 Southeast Asian Games Result System. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
2. "Ray Parks working out in La Union with Roger Casugay". Tiebreaker Times. March 6, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
3. Quito, Anne. "A Filipino surfer abandoned a medal race to rescue his competitor". Quartz. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
4. "LOOK: Duterte meets with hero surfer Roger Casugay in Palace". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
5. Magsambol, Bonz. "La Union pride: Meet PH's SEA Games closing rites flag bearer Roger Casugay". Rappler. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
6. "SEA Games 2019: Hero Philippines surfer to be bestowed with national honour for saving competitor's life". FOX Sports Asia. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
7. "Pres. Rodrigo Duterte meets heroic surfer Roger Casugay in Palace". The Filipino Times. December 11, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
8. Mercado, Neil Arwin (December 10, 2019). "Senate hails heroic surfer who helped Indonesian rival in SEA Games". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
9. "Prestigious award for surfer Casugay". BusinessMirror. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
10. Cimatu, Frank (December 8, 2019). "Surf savior and champ Roger Casogay: 'I'm not a hero'". Rappler. Retrieved December 15, 2019.