'No one is having more fun here': Margielyn Didal wins hearts of Olympic fans
Skateboarder Margielyn Didal may have fallen short of her Olympic campaign in Tokyo, but her infectiously vibrant personality still made an indelible mark on the world stage.
Didal landed at seventh place at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, July 26, at the finals of the women's street event. But for the reception of fans and viewers from the Philippines after her event, she has won the hearts of Filipino with electrifying smile and energy.
Didal landed in the top trending topics of Twitter, with netizens noting how it seemed she had fun during her event despite her tumbles in four out of her five tricks.
"Paano ma-achieve energy and positivity ni mareng Margielyn Didal," one Twitter user said.
"No one is having more fun here than the Philippines' Margielyn Didal," one sports reporter noted.
no one is having more fun here than the Philippines' Margielyn Didal pic.twitter.com/g4qAdxfd1v
— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) July 26, 2021
"Margielyn Didal personified everything great about what skateboarding is bringing to the Olympics today. Took some heavy falls in the final and was clearly in pain but got up smiling after every one, and was dishing out hugs and cheers to her opponents until the end," said another.
Local sportscaster Boom Gonzalez also gave props to 22-year-old Cebu native.
She showed the best attitude of all competitors. Soaking in the experience and cheering all her competition on! If you were just judging from body language you'd think she won the gold! That's what matters. You represented us soooo well!! An Olympian and true pioneer for us! ? https://t.co/VyJcBHO5Qw
— Boom Gonzalez (@gamedaywithboom) July 26, 2021
Even the Olympics' official Twitter account noticed, saying Didal's smile-and-thumbs combo, which she managed to whip out after two straight falls, was the "Margielyn Didal seal approval."
This will be known as the "Margielyn Didal seal approval" ???? pic.twitter.com/tWolMAQykq
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 26, 2021\
? #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/y7mQJjcgcv
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 26, 2021
Didal even earned a number of Brazilian fans, after she struck a seeming friendship with Brazil's Rayssa Leal, who won silver. Didal and Leal have been shown to share a hug during the competition and even recorded a TikTok dance video.
ATENÇÃO, MUITA ATENÇÃO !!!!!!
— ᴅᴀssᴀ ?? mundinho didal & rayssa br (@yibocolors) July 26, 2021
A RAYSSA E A DIDAL pic.twitter.com/sSthPoG4dk
Angelo Caro ?? and Margielyn Didal ?? are currently the two most beloved foreigners in Brazil.#Tokyo2020 #Skateboarding pic.twitter.com/NH477q3vZ5
— Raphael Sousa ❤??????「ラファエル・スーザ」 (@TheRaphael1991) July 26, 2021
To top it all off, Didal even reportedly got major press coverage in Brazil.
Didal getting so much love from Brazil. She just made it to one of Brazil's top news center. Just to translate, they loved her happy/smiling personality. A lot of Brazilian peeps and celebs started following her IG. #Tokyo2020 @anthonysuntay @TheDeanQuinito @carlo_pamintuan pic.twitter.com/uYt4rUKHTG
— Johnny West (@johnnywest69) July 26, 2021
As of the moment, the comments section of Didal's Instagram page is being flooded with Brazilian flags.
Aside from Brazil, Didal also got some love from Japan.