Meet Elreen Ando, the Filipina Olympian and weightlifter who defied the odds

Jul 29, 2024

Who is Elreen Ando? Get to know more about the Filipina weightlifter (Photos: Getty Images; stylized by Angela Nicole Guiral)

封面圖片 Who is Elreen Ando? Get to know more about the Filipina weightlifter (Photos: Getty Images; stylised by Angela Nicole Guiral)

Who is Elreen Ando? Get to know more about the Filipina weightlifter (Photos: Getty Images; stylised by Angela Nicole Guiral)

1 / 1

See and know what makes Elreen Ando a contender for Olympic glory

Olympians have repeatedly proved that weightlifting is not just a sport for men. The Philippines boasts its own set of women champions dedicated to it—one of whom won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in 2021. Now, in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ando is striving to maintain this momentum and, ultimately, bring home her own gold.

As we await Ando’s performance, we look at some important highlights of her sports journey and discover what made her the weightlifter she is today.

In case you missed it: Highlights from the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony

She started weightlifting at 13 years old

View this post on Instagram

Elreen Ando started weightlifting at the young age of 13 in her hometown, Cebu City. “I’m just a kid without a future who was discovered by a coach looking for an athlete,” she says. “Thank you, Coach Gary Hortelano, for believing in me from the very start.” After one year, she joined the national team; the rest is history.

Hidilyn Diaz is one of her inspirations

View this post on Instagram

It is no surprise that one of Elreen Ando’s inspirations is fellow Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first gold medal in the Olympic Games. Back then, she and her colleagues only dreamed of being like her, but now she’s on the Olympic stage herself.

Did you know? On April 3 this year, Ando qualified for Paris 2024 after garnering enough Olympic qualifying ranking following the conclusion of the IWF World Cup in Thailand. She qualified for the 59kg class event at the expense of Diaz.

She thought of quitting weightlifting

View this post on Instagram

The life of an athlete is no butterflies and rainbows—Elreen Ando knows this best. Being human, she’s susceptible to life’s problems, and it came to the point where she wanted to quit the sport. But she is resilient, and constantly motivates herself to move forward.

Paris 2024 is not her first Olympic Games

以上 Elreen Ann Ando of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 64kg Group A on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

Elreen Ann Ando of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 64kg Group A on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

1 / 1

Paris 2024 is not Elreen Ando’s first Olympic stint; she debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She competed in the 64 kg women’s weightlifting event, qualifying through the Absolute Continental Ranking. She placed seventh overall but set new personal bests in the process.

“I’m more excited this time around,” she says, looking forward to Paris 2024. Her eyes are focusing on the goal: the gold medal.

The hardest part of her training is her weight

View this post on Instagram

One of Elreen Ando’s preparations for Paris 2024 is meticulously tracking her weight, which she describes as perhaps the most challenging aspect of her training. Maintaining an optimal weight is crucial in weightlifting, as it directly impacts performance and competition categories.

“Also, I find ways to keep improving myself,” she says, emphasising the continuous pursuit of personal and athletic growth.

She dedicates all her wins to her father

View this post on Instagram

Elreen Ando dedicates all her triumphs to her late father, Lupito, the driving force behind her weightlifting journey. “I dedicate everything to my father,” she says. “I constantly work hard for him.”

After making a memorable debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Ando is poised for even greater achievements. The Philippines eagerly awaits her performance in Paris 2024, hoping she will lift the gold.

NOW READ

Who is Carlos Yulo? The gymnast representing the Philippines in Paris 2024 Olympics

Meet the Olympians who displayed great sportsmanship at the Games

How Filipina fencer Maxine Esteban defied all odds across borders to her Olympic dreams

主題

Paris 2024 Elreen Ando Weightlifting