SKATEBOARDER Margielyn Didal hopes to get as much exposure as she can to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics next year.
The life of the 21-year-old Cebuana has changed 180 degrees in the past 10 months since she bagged the gold medal in the 2019 Asian Games in Jakatra-Palembang, Indonesia.
From a kid, who would skate on the streets, she is now on top of the world and around the world joining different competitions abroad.
“After Asian Games nagpunta akong US for exposure, it’s an all-girl skate event and luckily nakuha ko ‘yung first place,” said Didal on Friday during the Asia Specific Skate Tour meet and greet at New Balance in TriNoma.
“And then after that umuwi ako and bumalik sa Japan for a skate exchange and then they had a mini event and got third,” added the New Balance ambassador.
Being away from her family for a couple of weeks, even months, Didal could not help but to feel homesick.
Fueled by the dream to make it to the Olympics, Didal vowed to go all out especially with the remaining tournaments, including the SLS World Championship on September 18 to 22 in Mexico.
“May mga rankings and qualifications for Olympics and sobrang busy,” she said. “I think before the year ends, ‘yun ‘yung malalaman. The more important [competition] is sa Mexico. SLS Street League Skateboarding. Meron [competition] by end of July pero the most important is Mexico.”
“It’s gonna determine next year’s ranking and then going into the Olympics. It’s like the next big one,” said Jamie Foy, a professional American skateboarder.
When asked about her chances for the SLS World Championship, Didal admitted that she’s still far from her top form but she’s hoping for the best.
“Everytime nagse-skate ka hindi mo rin ma-avoid na matapilok or masaktan so everytime nagco-compete ako natatapilok din pero I’m getting better and nagpapagaling ako and I’m getting better,” she said.
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