Elreen Ando had to overcome the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist in Hidilyn Diaz to earn a return trip to the Olympics. Perhaps, she can pull off another surprise in Paris.
It’s now or never for Elreen Ando.
Ando will be the first of two Philippine women weightlifters to see action in Paris 2024, competing in the women's 59-kg event at the South Paris Arena 6 later at 9:00 p.m. (PH time).
The 25-year-old from Cebu will battle in a new weight category after placing seventh in the 64kg in Tokyo 2020 three years ago, aiming to settle some unfinished business in her second straight Olympics.
In the 2024 IWF World Cup, Ando finished seventh with a final tally of 228 kg to book a second straight Olympic appearance and denied the country's first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo a chance to defend her crown.
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But Ando, who is ranked no. 7 in the OQR, faces a tall task against a talent-laden draw led by Tokyo 2020 gold medal winners Kuo Hsing-chun of Chinese Taipei and Luo Shifang of China.
Kuo toppled the 59kg event, while Luo reigned supreme in the 49kg category back then.
World No. 3 Maude Charron of Canada and No. 5 Kamila Konotop of Ukraine are also present in the start list with Mexico’s Janeth Gomez Valdivia, Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, Italy's Lucresia Magistris, Marshall Islands’ Mathlynn Sasser, Venezuela’s Anyelin Venegas Valera, Colombia’s Yenny Alvarez and home bet Dora Tchakounte rounding up the 12-player field.
The task is daunting, bordering on impossible, but Ando might have another trick up in her sleeves to shock the world anew.