Philippines’ Elreen Ann Ando competes in the women’s 64kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz’s golden feat proved to be a tough act to follow but fellow weightlifter Elreen Ando still made a good account of herself in her maiden Olympic campaign Tuesday night.
Ando may not have bagged the gold like Diaz but her performance showed she’s the heir to the current weightlifting queen’s throne.
The promising 22-year-old from Cebu City finished in seventh place in the women’s 64kg event with a total lift of 222kg and at one point was in play for the bronze with four competitors remaining.
Philippines’ Elreen Ann Ando reacts during the women’s 64kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)
Ando tallied 100kg on her third attempt in snatch before clearing 122kg on her last try in clean & jerk.
Her qualification to the Tokyo Olympics came as a surprise, already eyeing the 2024 Games before the announcement was made just last month.
And now Paris is an even clearer target for Ando.
“Elreen is ripe for 2024 Paris Olympics,” said weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella. “She is our project for 2024, together with Vanessa Sarno. She’s just really that good that’s why she’s able to makeit to Tokyo right away.”
Maude Charron of Canada won it all in the division after tallying 236kg. Giorgia Bordignon of Italy captured the silver with 232kg while Wen-Huei Chen of Chinese Taipei took the bronze with 230kg.