Motivated by her idol Hidilyn Diaz, Elreen Ando is ready to bounce back in her second Olympic campaign in Paris 2024.
The road to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was not an easy one for Filipina weightlifter Erleen Ando—physically and emotionally.
Amid the pressure, the Filipina weightlifter had to deal with several mental factors that greatly affected her performance prior to qualification for Paris 2024.
“'Yung mga struggles na napag-daanan ko before ako nag-qualify sa Olympics ay 'yung number one 'yung injury and depression. 'Yung problema especially sa family at tsaka 'yung mga gusto mo nang mag-quit sa sports or sa weightlifting,” Ando told One Sports.
“Parang mino-motivate ko na lang 'yung sarili ko para bumabalik 'yung kumpiyansa sa sarili ko din,” she added.
Ando, who competed in the same 59-kilogram category as Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, was just outside the top 10 in the Olympic Qualifying Ranking before April’s International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup.
With just one spot available for a Filipina weightlifter to qualify for Paris 2024, it meant that the 25-year-old Cebuana had to knock off Diaz to achieve her goal of competing in the Olympics once more.
At the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, Ando registered a personal best of 228 kilograms in total lifts and finished seventh place.
'Yung dating pinapangrap ko lang na makapag-Olympics ulit, sobrang saya ko dun na ako 'yung makapag-Olympics at tsaka pina-pray ko lahat na ito na 'yung mga prayers ko lang dati at na-achieve ko nung sa Phucket, Thailand,” said Ando.
But in the process, Ando outshined and eliminated her idol in Diaz, who finished 11th overall in the tournament.
"Sa part ko, siyempre masaya ako pero wala kaming magawa na dalawa kami sa timbang namin,” said Ando on her thoughts on qualifying while also eliminating 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]
Now being one of the new faces for Philippine weightlifting, Ando will look to carry the hopes and dreams of the nation like her idol and bring home another gold medal for the country.
It's a challenge she inherited after her most famous victory so far, albeit bittersweet.
“Elreen Ando lumalaban sa Olympics, naghahanda para sa coming Olympics, excited ako na maglaro sa darating na Paris Olympics. Ipapakita ko sa buong tao at bayan natin na kukunin natin ‘yung gold medal."
[ALSO READ: Like her idol Hidilyn Diaz, Elreen Ando sets her sights on a golden finish in Paris 2024]
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Story Summary:
- Filipina weightlifter Erleen Ando overcame significant challenges, including injury and depression, on her journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Competing in the same category as Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, Ando also had to eliminate her idol, achieving a personal best at the IWF World Cup in Thailand to secure her spot in Paris.
- Despite surpassing Diaz in qualifications, Ando embraces the responsibility of representing the Philippines in Paris, aiming for Olympic glory just like Hidilyn.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]