Didal shoots for Tokyo berth

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning Asian and Southeast Asian Games skateboard gold medalist Margielyn Didal tries to qualify outright to the Tokyo Olympics when she competes in the Street World Championship 2021 set May 30 to June 6 in Rome, Italy.

The weeklong event has been classified as the top tier of Olympic qualification point earning competitions.

The top three finishers in both men’s and women’s divisions in Rome will directly advance to the delayed quadrennial event regardless of their current positions in the Olympic rankings.

The 21-year-old Filipina is on course to nailing one of the 20 slots to the Tokyo Games slated July 23 to Aug. 8 as she is presently at No. 14.

The first two qualifying events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this recent development should give the reigning Asia Skater of the Year a golden chance to join gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam in Tokyo.

If she is denied in Rome, Didal must keep performing well to stay or improve in her current ranking to make it to her first Olympics.