LOOK: Margielyn Didal meets skateboarding legend Tony Hawk


Margielyn Didal is maximizing her time to familiarize herself with the skateboarding venue Ariake Urban Sports Park near the Olympic Village.

Margielyn Didal with Tony Hawk (Photo from Didal's Instagram account)

And while strolling and training there, Didal seized the rare opportunity of meeting skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.

READ: Margielyn Didal explores Olympic venue Ariake Urban Sports Park

In a series of Instagram Stories, the 22-year-old Cebuana skateboarder took her excitement to social media by asking her viewers "guess who?" while obviously zooming in on Hawk.

Tony Hawk spotted by Margielyn Didal (Photo from Didal's Instagram account)

The next photo would show Didal posing with the 53-year-old Hawk, fondly known as the "Birdman."

READ: Consistency is key for Margielyn Didal

Hawk himself tested his gears at Tokyo's skatepark after witnessing the practice session of Team USA and Team Japan.

Hawk said it feels "surreal" now that skateboarding, his bread and butter since he was a kid, is set to make its debut in the Olympics.

READ: Skateboarder Margielyn Didal ready to go all-out for Olympic glory

"As a kid that was mostly lambasted for my interest in skateboarding, I never imagined it would be part of the Olympic Games. It’s surreal to now be in Tokyo bearing witness to this milestone in the most unprecedented circumstances," said Hawks, who was also popular on video games as himself or patterned after his real-life tricks. "I know in the end it will help to grow skateboarding’s profile internationally, exposing our passion to an audience that has never seen it before or simply refused to embrace it.

"A whole new generation will get to experience skateboarding with genuine public support and meaningful opportunity. I predict it will be one of the highlights from all of the Olympic coverage this year. And I’m here for it."

ICYMI: Didal officially qualifies for the Tokyo Olympics

Meanwhile, Didal, the first Filipino skater to qualify to the Games, had met with fellow skating Olympians.

Didal also pulled off a mini-prank on Japanese friends, Momiji Nishiya (world No. 5) and Funa Nakayama (world No. 11).

Didal, who bagged gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 Southeast Asian Games, is currently ranked No. 17 in the world and No. 5 in Asia.

The street skate, composed of 20 Olympians, kicks off on July 26, Monday, with the preliminary heats starting at 8 am and the Final at around 11:25 am.