Weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando books Tokyo Olympics berth
Philippines’ Elreen Ann Ando takes part in the women’s 63kg weightlifting event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 24, 2018. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando became the latest addition to Team Philippines in the Tokyo Olympics after making the women’s 64-kilogram cut-off.
The 22-year-old from Cebu City will join Hidilyn Diaz who had earlier qualified for her fourth Olympiad (55kg category).
Samahang Weightlifting sa Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said Ando’s qualification showed that the association’s development efforts “are gaining fruits.”
Though Ando is competing in the tough category lorded over by European and South American lifters, Puentevella said Ando is counted upon to deliver her best performance.
“At 22, she’s making her first Olympics. Then with maturity three years from now in Paris and in Los Angeles in 2028 she will be a force to reckon with,” said Puentevella.
He said Ando is tracking the career trajectory of Diaz who cut her team at the age of 16 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics before winning silver in Rio in 2016.
Ando placed third in World Championships in Rome last year.
She made the cut with 2634 points, based on the list released by the International Weightlifting Federation.
