Asian Games: Margielyn Didal advances to skateboarding final

FILE – Philippines’ Margielyn Arda Didal competes in the skateboarding women’s street final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Sports Park in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD / AFP)

HANGZHOU, China—Margielyn Didal finished sixth in the qualification phase and advanced to the finals of skateboarding’s women’s street on Tuesday in the 19th Asian Games.

The event’s defending champion registered 41.53 points on her second run and made the eight-competitor cut among nine skaters.

China’s Zeng Wenhui topped the qualifying heat after scoring 69.15 on her second attempt followed by fellow Chinese skater Cui Chenxi, who tallied 66.36.

The finals are scheduled Wednesday at the Qiantang Roller Sports Centre here.

Joining the 24-year-old Didal in the golden match are Japanese Yumeka Oda (64.26) and Miyu Ito (53.96) and Vareeraya Sukasem of Thailand (45.39).

Thai Nathtiyabhorn Nawakitwong placed seventh (39.84) and South Korea’s Siye Ha (12.12) secured the last point despite a pair of faulty runs.

Didal, the nation’s flag-bearer along with pole vaulter EJ Obiena during the opening ceremony, has been revitalizing her drive to retain the Asiad title after the fearless Cebuana got sidelined by an ankle injury for a long time.

Trying to get comfortable again on the board after undergoing surgery a year ago, Didal trained with the national skateboarding team in Thailand before packing her bags for a second straight Asian Games stint.