PH bidding to make Asian championship a Tokyo Olympics qualifying event

After an impressive show in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games, Margielyn Didal will next contend with the best skateboarders in the continent when Tagaytay City hosts the Asian championships in April. Skateboarding chief Monty Mendigoria announced the country’s hosting and bared they are working out the possibility of making the tournament as one of the qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“All Olympic qualifiers for 2020 are already set, but we will bid to make it an Olympic ranking event,’’ said Mendigoria during the Go For Gold thanksgiving party for the medalists of the recent SEA Games.

According to Mendegoria, there are seven more qualifying tournaments for the Tokyo Summer Games, with Didal expected to land a spot.

Didal, one of the athletes under the Go For Gold program and reigning Asian Games champion, grabbed two gold medals in the SEA Games—the women’s street and game of skate events.

A total of 46 medals were won by Filipino athletes supported by the Go For Gold program.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than to see our athletes succeed in international tournaments such as the SEA Games,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. Filipino bets won six golds, four silvers and one bronze medal in the SEA Games. INQ