CEBUANO skateboarder and 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal will lead the cast of Filipino skaters in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games slated on Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, 2019.
The female skateboarder from Lahug, Cebu City recently competed in the 2019 Street League Skateboarding Global Qualifiers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she made it to the semifinals.
Didal was ranked No. 15 after collecting 10.4 points in the semis but failed to make it to the final round. Only the Top 8 made it to the championship round.
Monty Mendigoria, the president of the Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines (SRSAP), the national governing body in the sport, said the Filipino skaters will be pumped up to perform on their hometown.
The Philippines will be the host for this edition of the regional biennial meet. The skateboarding competition will be held in Tagaytay City.
“We have a big chance, especially since we are considered a powerhouse in Southeast Asia,” said Mendigoria. “But of course we have to work really hard especially in practices.”
Eight gold medals are at stake from skateboarding’s street event, the game of skate and downhill events for the men’s and women’s divisions.
Filipino-Americans Christiana Means and Jericho “Kiko” Francisco will join Didal in donning the national colors along with eight other skaters.
Mendigoria, however, will keep the final list of Filipino skaters confidential until the deadline for submission of names to the Sea Games Federation.
“I don’t want to give any details for now kasi baka masilip tayo ng mga kalaban. But definitely, the lineup is now complete,” he said. “We have 11 athletes who will compete including Margie (Didal), of course.” (RSC with PR)