Asian Games: Youngster Mazel Alegado, Jericho Francisco miss out on medals

Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 – Skateboarding – Qiantang Roller Sports Centre, Hangzhou, China – September 25, 2023 Philippines’ Mazel Paris Alegado in action during the Women’s Park Final REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

HANGZHOU, China—Skateboarders Jericho Francisco and nine-year-old Mazel Alegado bid their medal chances adieu at the 19th Asian Games here.

Alegado, the youngest competitor in these Games, ended up seventh out of eight finalists in the women’s park event after churning out a best run of 52.85 points at the Qiantang Roller Sports Centre.

Japan’s Hinano Kusaki ruled the event after tallying 88.87 points in her third and last run to upstage the Chinese tandem of Li Yujuan and Mao Jiasi for the gold.

Li settled for the silver (85.48) followed by the bronze effort of Mao (80.46).

Francisco, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, came close to landing on the podium before Japanese Kensuke Sasaoka snatched the bronze with a 83.66 performance in the final run.

Francisco’s 83.58 in his second run wasn’t enough as China’s Chen Ye (84.41) went on to reign in the men’s park event. Japan’s Yuro Nagahara got the silver with a 84.00.

Francisco, 21, was actually running second entering his third run, but an accidental slip near the end of his routine did him in.

Flag-bearer Margielyn Didal attempts to put the Pinoy skateboarders on the medal standings as she kicks off her title-retention bid in women’s street skate on Tuesday.

She ruled the event in 2018 Indonesia, resulting in instant fame for the Cebuana before an unfortunate ankle injury hit her late last year.