Fresh from Tokyo, Didal prepares for Street League tourney


Fresh from her Olympic debut in Tokyo, Japan, Margielyn Didal will soon gear up for the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Championship Tour in the United States late this month.

Margielyn Didal (AFP)

Skate Pilipinas head coach Dani Bautista bared that Didal plans to go back to Cebu first for further assessment on her injury before they resume training in their skateboarding facility there.

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Both Didal and Bautista have spent seven days in quarantine at Sofitel Hotel in Manila. A tight schedule awaits them as they still need one more week in isolation.

"Margie's recovering and after this we're gonna get back to it (training)," said Bautista in an online roundtable with the media. "We have a facility in Cebu and Margie's gonna start traveling. Yeah, we're gonna keep going."

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Bautista added that the 22-year-old Cebuana pride will undergo more strength and conditioning regimen to avoid future injuries heading into the Street League, which kicks off in Salt Lake City for its first leg.

The second stage will begin in October in Miami while the SLS Super Crown Championship starts in Jacksonville in October to culminate the tour.

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"It's skateboarding and it's gonna keep on happening," said the national team coach of Didal's injuries. "Our focus right now is to work on her strength and conditioning to avoid future injuries."

Didal, who landed seventh in the women's street skateboarding event in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, for her part, assured that recovery is doing well.

"Masakit pa siya kaunti but I can't wait to umuwi ng Cebu and do PT (physical therapy), see my family," said Didal, revealing that she's walking around the hotel room as part of her short conditioning.

"As of now sumasakit pa rin siya. I think magiging okay din naman. I'll be back on my boards soon," added the 2020 Asia Skateboarder of the Year.

After the SLS, Bautista said Didal will also be competing in Barcelona, Spain this year without disclosing the specifics.