HANGZHOU—Margielyn Didal reiterated on Saturday her confidence in retaining the gold medal in skateboarding’s women’s street competition in the 19th Asian Games.
Didal and world No. 2 pole vaulter and Asia’s record holder EJ Obiena were the country’s flag-bearers in Saturday night’s parade of athletes during the opening ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
“As I said when I arrived here Wednesday, my goal is to make it to the finals. From there, I’ll try to get to the podium,” said the 24-year-old Didal, whose gold in Palembang was her springboard to earning a stint in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Didal and Mazel Alegado will represent the country in women’s while Renzo Mark Feliciano, Jericho Francisco Jr. and Motic Panugalinog will vie in the men’s contest.
The skateboarders, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, plunge into action starting Monday at the Qiantang Roller Sports Center.