Filipino Olympic skater Margielyn “Margie” Didal has made a remarkable return to competitive skateboarding, clinching first place in the women’s division at the Red Bull Buenos Aires Conquest. This victory marks her first podium finish since recovering from an ankle injury.
On November 9, a crowd of 2,000 gathered at the University of Buenos Aires Law School for this prestigious street skateboarding competition. The event featured 24 elite skaters from around the world, including competitors from South Africa, the Netherlands, France, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and the Philippines.
Didal excelled in the competition, defeating top skaters such as Argentina’s Aldana Bertran and Brazil’s Leticia Bufoni in the qualifying rounds. In the semi-finals, she overcame Argentinian Camila Cáceres. The final showdown was between Didal and Dutch skateboarder Roos Zwetsloot. Didal emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 decision from the judges.
After her win, Didal expressed her excitement, stating, “This is amazing. Argentina didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to eat Argentine steak.” She also mentioned her plans to stay a few more days to enjoy skating.
This competition was particularly significant for Didal as it was her first since suffering a fractured left fibula during the Red Bull Skate event in Brazil. The injury kept her sidelined for nearly a year and impacted her qualification efforts for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Didal has been a consistent performer in both local and international skateboarding events. She won gold at the 2018 Asian Games and finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The Red Bull Buenos Aires Conquest showcased not only Didal’s skills but also celebrated global skate culture. The event featured a custom-designed skatepark at the University of Buenos Aires Law School that paid homage to iconic locations throughout the city.
The competition concluded in Buenos Aires after previous stops in Paris, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the vibrant skateboarding community worldwide.
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