Margielyn Didal seeks Tokyo Olympics spot in Rome OQT

Margielyn Didal is eyeing one of the 20 spots for the Tokyo Olympics (philstar.com)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipina skater Margielyn Didal is hoping to clinch a ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as she is set to dazzle Rome in the Street Skateboarding World Championships.

The Street Skateboarding event is the last chance for all Tokyo Olympics hopefuls and is also the last of the many Olympics Qualifying Tournaments for skateboarding.

Didal is currently ranked no. 14 in the world and is hoping to have a strong finish in Rome to secure the Tokyo ticket.

The Olympics will only feature 20 skateboarders overall. One from the host country, which is Japan, the top three finishers in the World Championships, and the top 16 in the world.

If Didal will be able to garner a high-level performance and increase her current world no. 14 rank, then the Filipina is already locked in for a spot in Japan.

“Being able to compete against the best of the world is definitely helping raise my own level,” said the prized Tokyo hopeful.

Didal’s current world no. 14 rank can actually secure her a sure spot in Tokyo but if the current no. 15, 16, 17, and 18 increase their points, then there is a possibility that the Filipina might be out of contention.