As clock continues to tick for the gathering of the best athletes in the upcoming Olympics 2024, Filipinos are on track and primed to represent the Philippines once again.
One of them is Elreen Ann Quinilitan Ando, commonly known as Elreen Ando, a 25-year-old Filipino weightlifter who qualified and secured a spot to represent the country in Paris in a 59kg weightlifting category.
Following the historic performance of the country in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the Philippines has much to prove in the 2024 Olympics, especially after the renowned Hidylyn Diaz made history by winning the first Gold Medal.
From discovery to dominance
Ando became part of the Philippine national weightlifting team when she was discovered by weightlifting coaches Garry Toleno and former Olympian Ramon Solis when she was a junior high school at the University of Cebu (UC).
Since then, she made a record in weightlifting by earning different medals and awards through her journey. Her consistent performance in various competitions has made her a key figure in Philippine weightlifting
Photo Courtesy: Elreen Ando Oly | Facebook
One of her notable awards is the silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games; she also secured fifth place at the women’s 59kg division in the 2021 International Federation World Championships.
In 2022, Ando also won a bronze medal from the Hangzhou Asian Games as well as two silver medals from the Asian Championships in 2020 and 2024 across different weight classes.
She followed that up with a gold medal at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
In the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Ando made her Olympic debut securing 7th place in the women’s 64kg weightlifting event by recording a total of 222kg in the Olympics.
She has also won two silver and one bronze medal in the Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Indeed, the weightlifter is more than prepared to compete in the highly anticipated Paris Olympics, as demonstrated by the well-decorated background she built over the years.
Ando’s road to the Olympics
The 25-year-old Cebuana secured a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris after the astounding performance at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on April 3.
Photo Courtesy: Elreen Ando Oly | Facebook
Unlocking the opportunity to raise a flag in Paris, Ando also admitted that she almost lost hope in fighting for the Olympic dream.
The event in Thailand marks the day for Ando, as she lifted a total of 228kg, notching a 100kg for the snatch and 128kg in the clean and jerk.
This performance is good enough to place her in seventh in the event, improving her chances to finish within the top 10 of the Olympic Qualification Ranking.
This victory meant surpassing Hidilyn Diaz who had a higher ranking than Ando who managed 99 kilograms in the snatch and 123kg in the clean and jerk.
Diaz did not finish her second and third attempts at the 127kg, putting her in a total of 222kg and in 11th ranked in the said event.
Thus, the Olympics website stated that only one athlete per National Olympic Committee per weight class can qualify for the Summer Games.
For Ando, all these sacrifices have been paid off after securing a spot in Paris.
She reportedly missed her mother’s death anniversary last March 8 as she did not go home, due to the rigorous training for the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup that kept her busy.
Represent the flag
Elreen Ando is now emerging as one of the propitious Filipino weightlifters, her name continues to rise and becoming more prominet.
As she looks forward to the upcoming 2024 Olympics, Ando is filled with excitement and a strong sense of purpose.
In an interview with One Sports, Ando says, “Yung pagkaka-iba nung nag Tokyo din ako at tsaka ngayon, parang mas excited ako na mag-laro sa coming Paris dahil gino-goal ko talaga ‘yung medal or gold medal para sa Olympics.”
Having an experience in competing in the previous Olympic Games, Ando also aims to achieve greater heights.
“Excited ako sa lahat na ipakita ko sa buong Pilipinas na kaya ko,” she added.
Ando’s record of achievement since her breakthrough demonstrates a commendable journey and shows a future in the sport particularly in weightlifting in the Philippines.
Ando is now in preparation for the Paris Olympics in 2024, and she is hoping to bring home the gold medal in her class.
She is eager in building up weightlifting in the country by inspiring fellow athletes in Cebu, potentially increasing the Philippines’ representation in the sport.
The 59kg weightlifting category at the 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled for August 8th at 3:00 PM Central European Summer Time.
Laban Pilipinas! Go for Gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With reports from Rose Ogrimen
