Elreen Ando’s quest for redemption in Paris Games

Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ando booked a return trip to the Olympics after a strong showing in the women’s 59 kg event at the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand last April.

In what seemed like a passing of the torch moment, Ando overcame Hidilyn Diaz after tallying a personal best 228 kilograms after posting 100 kilos in the snatch and 128 kg in the clean and jerk.

It was 6 kg better than the combined effort by Diaz, the first athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines in the 55 kg event in Tokyo.

The 25-year-old will look to eclipse her past Summer Games. Ando aims to improve upon her seventh-place finish during her Olympic debut in Japan by showcasing her resilience and commitment to success.

After missing out on a podium finish at the Olympics in Tokyo, the Cebu native ruled the women’s 59 kg class in the 32nd edition of the biennial sporting event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Having had enough runner-up finishes in the Southeast Asian Games, Ando shattered records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift to give the country its first weightlifting gold from the Cambodia SEA Games last year.

Prior to her Paris berth, Ando snared another podium finish after claiming the silver medal in the women’s 59 kg category in the 2024 Asian Weightlifting Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Her historic win came with a bittersweet feeling as it cost Diaz's Olympic dream ending. But now that she is the country’s bet, Ando is ready to step up to the challenge and make a name for herself.

The future is certainly now in Elreen Ando, and maybe a golden ending awaits her redemption arc in Paris.

Ando will open her campaign on August 8.