After London, Cebuana skater eyes Asiad

Cebuana skateboarder Margielyn Didal has her eyes set on the X-Games and the 2018 Asian Games after a successful stint on the world stage in the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Pro Open London Women’s Qualifier last May 26 in London.

The 19-year-old Didal arrived in her hometown last Friday after becoming the first Filipino to represent the country in the SLS Pro Open, which is regarded as one of the biggest international skateboarding competitions in the world.

Didal made it to the SLS Pro Open Finals and finished in the top eight, besting some of the big names in skateboarding.

“I was really happy with my performance in SLS. I was able to raise the Philippine flag for the first time in the international skateboarding event,” said Didal, who will compete in the X-Games in Minneapolis, USA on July 17 to 20 and the 2018 Asian Games in August in Indonesia.

After her stint in the X-Games, Didal will be joining a two-week skate camp in Pennsylvania, USA before going back to the Philippines.

“I think I have a good chance in the Asiad, my closest rival in the women’s division would be from Japan. She grew up practicing in a skatepark. Filipinos will always have a big heart to fight,” said Didal, who has been skateboarding on the streets of Cebu more about six years.

Didal’s manager Anthony Claravall, the brand manager of New Balance Skateboarding Asian Pacific, had the same thoughts on the chances of the Philippines winning a medal from skateboarding.

“I mean she (Didal) went straight to SLS and made a really good showing there; it’s not easy you walk in there because it’s the highest level. For me, Margie is probably one of the strongest in women skateboarding in Asia if not the strongest other than Japan. It’s between Japan and the Philippines in Asia,” he said.

Didal’s first trip on her arrival in Cebu was a visit with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña before going to a local skateboarding competition in Hipodromo Gym, Cebu City.

Osmeña has said that he will build a skatepark on a sports ground that will be situated at the South Road Properties (SRP).

“I have met Mayor Tom and he congratulated me. He said that he will build a skatepark. They’re now getting the design of the park,” said Didal, who added that a skatepark would be a huge help and opportunity to the youths who wants to pursue skateboarding. /