MANILA – Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando failed to land a podium finish in the women’s weightlifting 59-kilogram category of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday night at the South Paris Arena in Paris, France.
The Cebu City-native Ando ended in sixth place with a total of 230 kilograms—100 kilograms in the snatch and 130 kilograms in the clear and jerk—way behind from the podium finishers.
The 25-year-old Ando faltered on her first attempt at 100 kilograms in the snatch before successfully lifting it on the second attempt. She went for 102 kilograms in the third lift but failed to complete it.
Ando, who defeated 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz in the qualifiers, faltered on her first two attempts at 130 kilograms in the clear and jerk before finally completing it in her final attempt.
China’s Luo Shifang claimed the gold medal with an Olympic record of 241 kilograms (107 in snatch and 134 in clear and jerk), Canada’s Maude Charron settled for silver with 236 and Chinese-Taipei’s Hsing-Chun Kuo got the bronze with 235.
Just like Ando, John Ceniza also had an unimpressive performance in the men’s 61-kilogram weightlifting category as he failed to convert on his snatch, resulting in a no lift.
Ceniza, who had a personal best of 131 kilograms in the snatch that he recorded during the qualifying round in Thailand, was unable to lift any of his three attempts at the 125 kilogram.
Team Philippines’ last hope to lift a medal in the weightlifting lies on Vanessa Sarno, who will compete in the women’s 71-kilogram category on Friday night (Saturday morning in the Philippines).
“Gawin ko po lahat pero hindi po ako mag-promise,” the Boholana lifter said in an interview.
Among her toughest rivals are American Olivia Reeves, Angie Paola Palacios of Ecuador, Loredana Elena Toma of Romania and Taiwanese Chen Wen-Huei./PN
