Athlete Lost His Father Hours Before Winning First Gold Medal At SEA Games
He was only informed of his father's death after winning the gold.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 05 Dec 2019, 02:06 PM
Earning his first gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games came as a bittersweet moment for Indonesian athlete, Edgar Marvelo who learned of his father's passing only after his wushu competition was over
A post on the SEA Games 2019 Official Facebook page read, "Edgar's father died while he was competing in the event and he was only informed about it after winning the gold, bringing him to tears. He dedicates his gold medal to his country and to his father."
The post has since garnered 1,800 shares.
The 21-year-old won a total of two gold medals and he dedicates both of them to his father
He uploaded a photo of him holding the Indonesian flag on the podium along with the caption, "Two gold medals, for papa."
The athlete told CNN Indonesia, "Before his life support was removed, I told my dad that I promised to do this for him."
This is Marvelo's second SEA Games and it is his first time winning gold. He competed in the 2017 SEA Games held in Kuala Lumpur, where he won a bronze medal. Last year, he won a silver medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta.
Marvelo finally flew back home yesterday, 4 December, in time for his father's funeral.
The proud athlete even placed his medals on his beloved father's body.
He shared photos of his father's funeral on his Instagram account. The young athlete wrote, "Finally meeting my dad, he's wearing my medal now."
Netizens expressed their support and offered condolences to the grieving gold medallist
One person wrote, "Bittersweet! His father died while he was competing in the event and he was only informed about it after winning the gold, bringing him to tears. A great athlete!"
Another Twitter user wrote, "Your dad will smile from heaven. No words can describe this. Indonesia is proud to have you.Thanks for your hard work."
"This Indonesian athlete's father passed away right before he performed. How sad must it be for him. Nevertheless, Edgar Xavier Marvelo won gold in Men's Gunshu Event. Condolences," wrote another netizen.
