In her process to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Elreen Ando had to defeat her idol and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.
Elreen Ando continues to rise in international weightlifting, emerging as one of the Philippines' most promising athletes.
At 25 years old, Ando marked a significant milestone in her career after qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.
Ando registered a personal best of 228 kilograms in total lifts, outshining Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who finished 11th overall, in easily the most bittersweet moment of Philippine sports for the year.
Competing in the same weight class as Diaz has been a unique and challenging experience for Ando. After all, Ando’s foray into weightlifting was heavily inspired by Diaz herself.
“Parang 'yung dati na nangangarap kami na magiging katulad sa kanya tapos eto na, nakapag-Olympics din kami,” Ando told One Sports.
[ALSO READ: How Elreen Ando's sacrifice, with Hidilyn Diaz's urging, produced her first Asian Games medal]
But while Ando was able to secure her ticket to Paris, her triumph also eliminated Diaz from qualification. Hidilyn will miss the Olympics in Paris after appearing in each and every one from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020.
"Sa part ko, siyempre masaya ako pero wala kaming magawa na dalawa kami sa timbang namin,” said Ando, on the unique but rather unfortunate qualification process involving her and Diaz.
“Same lang naman kami na gusto namin mag-Olympics at tsaka pinalad tayo na ako din nabigyan ng opportunity na makapag-Olympics. Todo suporta na lang kaming dalawa kung sino mag-qualify samin,” she added.
[ALSO READ: GUTS AND GLORY | Bittersweet moment as Hidilyn Diaz passes torch to Elreen Ando for Paris Olympics berth]
As she looks forward to Paris 2024, Ando is filled with excitement and a strong sense of purpose. Having competed in the previous Olympic Games, Ando now sets her sights on achieving greater heights.
In Tokyo 2020, the Cebuana weightlifter recorded 100kg in the snatch and 122kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 222kg, finishing in seventh place in her category.
"‘Yung pagkaka-iba nung nag Tokyo din ako at tsaka ngayon, parang mas excited ako na mag-laro sa coming Paris [2024] dahil gino-goal ko talaga 'yung medal or gold medal para sa Olympics,” said Ando.
“Excited ako sa lahat na ipakita ko sa buong Pilipino na kaya ko,” she ended.