Didal to cement Olympic berth with Rome podium finish

FILE–PH skater Margielyn Didal trains in the new skatepark in Cebu. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/RED BULL

Her world ranking virtually guaranteeing her a berth in the Tokyo Olympics, Margielyn Didal competes in the Street Skateboarding World Championships in Rome, Italy, looking to formalize her stint in the Summer Games.

Didal kicks off her bid in the semifinals that start on Friday (Manila time) where she will gun for a podium finish.

“I’m really excited to have qualified for the semifinals and hope to make it to the finals,” said Didal.

The Olympics will feature 20 athletes each in the men’s and women’s division.

The world’s top 16 skateboarders in the men’s and women’s side will gain automatic Olympic berths. Joining them are the top three men and top three women from the World Championships and the one bet for each division from the host country.

Didal is ranked No. 14 in the world among women, virtually guaranteed of a spot in the Summer Games. But she plans to give it her all in Rome, where an estimated 200 athletes from about 40 countries are participating.

“Being able to compete against the best of the world is definitely helping raise my own level,” said the Cebu-born lass.