Cebu’s Margielyn Didal grimaces in pain during her run in the 2023 Asian Games in China. PSC/POC pool
HANGZHOU, China—Cebuana Margielyn Didal lost her title in women’s Street Style Skateboarding of the 19th Asian Games being held in Hangzhou, China on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Bothered by her foot which required surgery 11 months ago, the 24-year-old Didal tallied 23.39 points in her first run and 12.84 in the next to finish last among eight competitors.
The 2018 Asian games champion slipped again thrice in all of her tries in the trick sequence, putting the famed Filipino skater out of the running for good at the Qiantang Roller Sports Centre here.
China’s Chi Chenxi won the gold while compatriot Zeng Wenhui got the silver. Japan’s Miyu Ito settled for the bronze with 213.00.
“My injury has already healed, but I can still feel the tightness around my foot. It’s probably due to the metal plates that were installed,” said Didal
After rolling the aggravated ankle on the third trick attempt, the Tokyo Olympian stayed on the ground for a while, massaged her foot and stood up limping to the sidelines.
Didal dislocated and fractured her ankle during the Red Bull Stake Levels last year in Brazil.
Since then, it took a while before she rode the board again and jumpstarted her return bid in the continental meet, the site of her sudden rise to prominence five years ago.
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