Margielyn Didal lands in 7th place at Olympic women's street skate finals

Skateboarder Margielyn Didal landed in seventh place at the finals of the women's street event at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, July 26.

Didal finshed 7th, with a total score of 7.52 after crashing in her last three tricks. She ranked seventh in the preliminaries with a score of 12.02.

Nishiya Momuji of Japan finished first with 15.26, Rayssa Leal of Brazil finished second with 14.64, while Nakayama Funa of Funa in third with 14.29. 

Despite not winning a coveted medal for the Philippines, Didal already made history for the country by being part of skateboarding’s inaugural appearance at the Olympics. The 22-year-old spark plug has come a long way from her humble beginnings in Cebu, where she persisted in the sport despite being initially hounded by the police when she and her friends were seen playing with their skateboard.

Didal's boundless energy has also made a mark in the Olympic arena, where she was seen beaming ear-to-ear, even after crashing at times during the tournament, being her usual playful self.

"Margie Didal has lit up this arena with her personality. She left her mark, she is pioneering her country," one of the TV commentators said after the results were announced.

Didal posted in her TikTok account a video of her dancing together with Brazil's Rayssa Leal, who snagged the silver, before the finals.

@margiedidal

@jrayssaleal Congrats on getting Silver in the first Olympic

♬ original sound - Jean-Victor

Meanwhile, with her first place finish at the women’s skateboarding street event, Japan’s Nishiya became one of the youngest individual Olympic champions in history. Nishiya is at the 13 years old and 330 days during the competition. 

Skateboarding is one of four sports making their debut in Tokyo Olympics. Other sports making its inaugural appearance are surfing, sport climbing, and karate. - with reports from the Agence France-Presse

Banner photo: Philippines' Margielyn Arda Didal reacts as she competes in the women's street preliminary round during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Sports Park Skateboarding in Tokyo on July 26, 2021.
Jeff PACHOUD / AFP