By REY C. LACHICA
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 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 does with relatively ease before.
So after three rounds in the trick category, she raised the white flag of surrender knowing there was no way she can catch up in the won – again – by Chinese Cui Chenxi, who tallied 242.62 points.
In 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 manalo, minsan naman talo ka.”
And she was not using her injury as an excuse.
