Ando: Return trip to Olympics.POC photo
Ando books ticket to Paris Olympics
MOVE over, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo. Enter Elreen Ann Ando.
Ando finally stepped out of the shadows of Diaz-Naranjo to book a ticket.to the 2024 Paris Olympics following a strong showing in the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand last Wednesday.
Ando, the 25-year-old pride of Cebu City, posted a personal-best 228-kilogram total –100 kilos in snatch and 128 kilos in clean and jerk — to finish seventh in the women’s -59kg.
That was enough for Ando to make it to the Top 10 and earn ticket to the Olympics scheduled July 26-August 11 in Paris.
Diaz-Naranjo, who made history by winning the country’s first-ever Olympics gold medal in Tokyo in 2020, finished 11th overall with a 222kg total after posting 99kg in snatch and 123kg in clean and jerk.
Based on Olympics rule, only one athlete per country can qualify in any weight division.
This will be the second Olympics for Ando, who competed in the 64kg event in Tokyo, where she placed seventh overall.
“Congratulations Elreen Ando in the 59kg books a slot for the Paris 2024 Olympics! All the praise and applause to Hidilyn Diaz as well for her unwavering competitive spirit and sportsmanship,” said Philippine Olmypic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino n a Facebook post.
“Mabuhay kayo! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!”
Diaz-Naranjo, who took the gold in the now-scrapped 55kg division in Tokyo, was actually hoping to make it to the Olympics for the fifth straight time since the 2008 edition in Beijing , China.
The 33-year-old Diaz-Naranjo also captured a silver medal in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Games.
World No. 1 Luo Shifang of China topped the event with a record-breaking performance at 248kg.
Kim Il Gyong of North Korea finished second with 240 kg, followed by Maude Charron of Canada (236 kg), Pei Xinyi of China (233 kg) and Hsing-Chun Kuo of Chinese-Taipei (230).
The final list of the qualified athletes in their respective categories is expected to be announced by IWF after April 28.
Aside from Ando, the other Paris-bound Filipino athletes are EJ Obiena (pole vault), Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and Aira Villegas (boxing) and John Febuar Ceniza and Rosegie Ramos (weightlifting).
On Sunday, another weightlifter Vanessa Sarno will see action in the women’s 71kg.
If Sarno could maintain her fifth overall ranking, she could also book a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
