Philippine skateboarders all set to roll

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all systems go for skateboarding sensation Margielyn Didal, who will be eyeing to extend her rule in the 30th Southeast Asian Games next week. 

A gold medal winner in last year’s Asian Games, the 20-year-old star sets her sights in copping two gold medals when the biennial meet’s roller-sports events are held at the Tagaytay Oval on Dec. 3 to 8.

The Cebuana pride is anticipated to deliver the gold medals for the country in street and game of skate events of the women’s division. 

Didal arrived in the country earlier this week, going straight to her home in Cebu City to gain inspiration from her family after being abroad for the past month for her SEA Games preparations and Olympic aspirations.

She is set to land back in Manila today but will not plunge into any added training, according to Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines president Monty Mendigoria with still five days to go before the competition proper. 

“Margie will not skate anymore until the SEAG. She will just undergo physical exercises for we think that the competitions she participated in US and Brazil are already enough,” Mendigoria told The STAR. 

Earlier this month, Didal took the US by storm with wins in the best trick and street skate battle 15-above division of the Exposure All-Women’s Skateboarding Championships in Huntington Beach, California. 

She also reigned supreme in the Ladies Day Skate, winning the best trick over Japan’s Kaya Isa in a separate event held at The Berrics in Los Angeles.

Currently the 13th best street skateboarder in the world and on track to advance to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, Didal also impressed with a 10th place finish in the Olympic qualifying event OI STU Open Street/Park Skateboarding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last week.

With Didal expected to lead the way, Mendigoria had no hesitation in declaring the sport’s ambitious goal of sweeping all eight skateboarding events. 

“We’re aiming for eight gold medals,” added Mendigoria, expecting skaters Kiko Francisco and Christiana Means together with downhill rider Jaime Delange to join Didal in spearheading the 12-strong Philippine skateboarding squad.