Didal continues hunt for Olympic slot

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning Asian Games and SEA Games skateboarding champion Margie Didal is still on track in earning a spot to this year’s Tokyo Olympics despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My goal is to qualify and compete in the Olympics. I’m not promising I will win a medal but I will give my best to achieve it,” said the Cebu-based 21-year-old in Filipino.

A maximum of 20 qualifiers are allowed per event – men’s park and street and women’s park and street – in skateboarding in Tokyo.

For Didal to make the cut, she would need to either finish in the top three of the World Championships this year or earn enough Olympic ranking points to get inside the top 16 in the world rankings for the women’s street event where she is competing.

National and Continental championships are also staking qualifying points.

To date, Didal is ranked 14th in the world and should rank higher than that since only three entries are allowed per country. Japan had received one spot being the host country.

To make it happen, Didal needs to compete in as many tournaments to stay in the Olympic hunt.

“I hope I would be given the chance to join World Skate-sanctioned events,” said Didal.

If Didal makes it to Tokyo, she would join the early qualifiers – gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno.