Didal wants to play in Olympic qualifier
IF the remaining Olympic qualifiers for skateboarding are canceled, Filipina skateboarder Margielyn Didal would probably still make it to the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Only the top 20 skateboarders in the world are to qualify for the quadrennial Games and Didal is currently at no. 14 in the world rankings.
While that is a welcome possibility for Didal, the 2018 Asian Games gold medalist still wants to grill herself in the qualifiers and get that feel of competition before vying for the Olympic gold.
"I'm confident with my ranking now. If I could compete and make it (ranking) better it would be good," said Didal in the “PSC Hour" program at Radyo Pilipinas on Friday.
Didal's coach Dani Bautista said going through the Olympic qualifiers will help the 2019 Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist reach her peak.
"Ideally, that would be better just so she's gonna be around those competitors. It's going to be good for her to raise her level," said Bautista, who also graced the weekly radio program.
Didal and Bautista explained the importance of these qualifiers following the cancellation of one tournament slated in March in Peru.
The next Olympic qualifier is scheduled in April and the 21-yearold Didal could not wait to show her wares in that tournament. "I think we're read," she said. For the meantime, the Cebubased Didal is training with her teammates in the national team.
"A month ago, two of our skaters flew into Cebu to skate with Margie. A few months ago she didn't have someone on her level. Now she has that," said Bautista.