Didal loses, but earns admiration for bravery
At A Glance
- Despite finishing dead last in a field of eight finalists, the Cebuano star still received thunderous applause from the crowd who acknowledged her bravery despite the painful end to her reign.
HANGZHOU, China – Margielyn Didal failed to defend her skateboarding title in the 19th SEA Games here.
But still got one medal - a medal for valor.
Despite finishing dead last in a field of eight finalists, the Cebuano star still received thunderous applause from the crowd who acknowledged her bravery despite the painful end to her reign.
Still recovering from a left ankle injury she sustained in October last year, Didal was a mere shadow of her once exciting self – her moves were limited due to some plates inserted during the operation.
She tumbled and slid on several occasions in the first two runs and could not produce the magic tricks she did with relative ease before.
So after three rounds in the trick category, she raised the white flag of surrender knowing there was no way she could catch up in the event won – again – by Chinese Cui Chenxi, who tallied 242.62 points.
It was an impressive 1-2 finish for China as Zeng Wenhui took the silver in 236.61with Ito Miyu taking the bronze in 221.59.
Still, she humble in defeat, saying: “In sports, minsan panalo, minsan naman talo ka.”
And she was not using her injury as an excuse.
But her path to the Paris Games appeared secured, being in the Top 40 in the world rankings -- only the best 44 skaters will qualify to the global showpiece.