Elreen Ando, a 25-year-old weightlifter, has secured her spot in the Paris Olympics, proving that her years of dedicated training have paid off. The journey to this achievement has been marked by sacrifices, hard work, and the unwavering support of her community. Ando understands the inherent gamble athletes face – sacrificing personal pursuits for the chance at success. This dedication is evident in her story, highlighting the sacrifices she’s made to achieve her goal.
Ando’s journey wasn’t a solo endeavor. She was discovered at 22 by a weightlifting coach who believed in her potential. A collegiate scholarship from the University of Cebu further eased her path, providing crucial support for her competitive weightlifting journey.
At the Olympic qualifier, Ando faced a formidable opponent in Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who competes in the same weight class. Despite the pressure, Ando’s combined lift of 224kg propelled her to the top. As only one athlete per weight class can represent a country at the Olympics, Ando secured her ticket to Paris, surpassing Diaz-Naranjo.
In a testament to the camaraderie within the Philippine weightlifting team, Diaz-Naranjo embraced Ando’s success with warmth and support, highlighting the team’s collective spirit. Ando’s achievement proves that the Philippine weightlifting team’s potential surpasses expectations. Diaz-Naranjo’s support further solidifies the athletes’ confidence to strive for excellence.
With the Paris Olympics fast approaching, Ando is eager to make the Philippines proud. Her story, alongside those of other athletes who are pushing boundaries in sports, is a testament to grit, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.
