Elreen Ando’s determination shone through despite missing an Olympic medal, as she set a new national record with a total of 230 kg in the women’s 59 kg weightlifting category on Thursday at the South Paris Arena 6.
The two-time Olympian made a significant save in her third and final attempt at the clean and jerk, lifting 130 kg—a new standard for Filipino weightlifters in this category.
Ando finished the Games in sixth place, improving from her seventh-place finish in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the 64 kg category.
After failing twice with 130 kg, Ando needed to successfully lift that weight to post a total, despite being out of medal contention. She accomplished this feat under – literal – pressure.
Ando struggled visibly after her hard-fought 100 kg lift in her second snatch attempt, which affected her final attempt of 102 kg in the snatch portion of the competition.
China’s Luo Shifang won the gold with new Olympic records in the snatch (107 kg), clean and jerk (134 kg), and total (241 kg).
Canada’s Maude Charron took the silver with a total of 236 kg, while Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Hsing-chun secured the bronze with a total of 235 kg.
The Philippines’ youngest Asian champion, Vanessa Sarno, will aim to end the weightlifting team’s campaign on a high note on Saturday, August 10, in the women’s 71 kg category.
