Margielyn Didal

Margielyn Didal started skateboarding with friends at the now-closed Concave Park in Cebu. When the park closed she and her friends struggled to find a new place to skateboard.[8] She has narrated how she and her friends were apprehended by police officers and security guards when they were caught practicing in the streets and in abandoned areas, as well as one account of being barred entry from a shopping mall due to her having a skateboard.[6] Didal's parents were initially skeptical of Didal pursuing a career in skateboarding but later supported her decision.[7]

She approached Daniel Bautista, who would later on be her coach in the 2018 Asian Games, and borrowed boards from Bautista's friends. Bautista said that Didal became better than boys in her area and recognized her talent.[8] In around 2012, Didal started to compete in local tournaments in Cebu City, particularly those organized by Jeson L. Guardo of G-Concepts in Barangay Tisa in Cebu City.[9]

Sometime in 2014, she injured her right arm[4] and in December of the same year severely sprained her ankle of her right foot, her dominant foot. The effect of the latter injury lingered for some years. To managed ankle sprain, Didal underwent months of therapy at Cardia Olympia and underwent intense assessment at the Red Bull High Performance Training Center in Santa Monica, California in July 2019.[10]

Didal would later compete in tournaments abroad and secured sponsors.[8] She became the first Filipino skateboarder to compete in the Street League Skateboarding when she participated in the SLS PRO Open in London, England[4] on May 26, 2018.[9] In the preliminary round, she finished fourth and advanced to the final round to finish eight overall.[9]

Due to her performance in the SLS, a local through an online open letter address Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña to build a skate park in the city as recognition to Didal's feat.[9] Osmeña then responded that if Cebu City will be the overall champions of the 2018 Philippine National Games, half of the prize money will be allotted for a sports park which will prioritize skateboarding at the South Road Properties.[11]

In the 2019 SLS World Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Didal reached the semifinals becoming the first representatives of the Philippines to do so along with Christiana Means. Didal failed to advance to the final, with only the top eight skater advancing, finishing 14th overall with 20 points.[12]

Didal was invited to compete at the X Games becoming the first competitor of any gender to formally represent the Philippines in the games. She participated in the 2018 X Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States.[4]

She competed for the Philippines in the women's street skateboarding event in skateboarding. She trained for two months in the United States prior to the event.[13] Didal won the fourth gold for the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games. In seven attempts Didal accumulated 30.4 points to win the gold while silver medalist Isa Kaya of Japan and bronze medalist Bunga Nyimas of Indonesia accumulated 25 and 19.8 points respectively.[14] She scored 14.2 points in her first two runs[15] and garnered the highest points in the fourth run scoring 8.9 points,[8] by performing the backside 50/50, 360-degree flip out for the first time in a major competition.[16] It was the biggest points in the whole women's street park event.[8]

Following her achievement, she was named as the flag bearer of the Philippine delegation for the closing ceremony of the games.[17] As a gold medalist in the Games she will be entitled to ₱6 million of bonuses, which she plans to use to help her family start a business.[16]

Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña reiterated earlier plans for his city saying that his sister has pledged a ₱5 million donation to build a skate park at the South Road Properties to raise awareness on her and the sport of skateboarding due to Didal's win.[18][19] As of January 2020, talks are regarding the possible construction of the skate park are still being held.[7]

Didal participated in the inaugural Philippine National Skateboarding Championship held in Santa Rosa, Laguna in July 2019 where she won the gold medal for the women's street event.[20]

During the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Didal won two gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games; in women's Game of Skate and in street skateboarding.[21][22]