Olympian Returns with Medal Experience and New Ambitions
Elreen Ando enters the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games seeking to improve upon the bronze medal she earned three years earlier. The two-time Olympian brings recent continental medals, Philippine records, and another Southeast Asian Games championship into the women’s 61kg competition.
Ando Targets Improvement From Hangzhou Bronze
Lance Agcaoili of INQUIRER.net chronicled Ando’s preparations as the 27-year-old targets another podium finish during the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Ando previously earned bronze in the women’s 64kg event at Hangzhou 2023 after producing a 222kg combined total.
North Korea’s Rim Unsim won that competition with 251kg, while China’s Pei Xinyi claimed silver after totaling 234kg. Ando returns three years later in a different weight category while carrying considerably more major-event experience into her latest continental campaign.
“I’m really eager to win a medal again and hopefully improve on the medal I won last time.”
Image from: Go for Gold Philippines / Facebook
Hangzhou Delivered First Asian Games Medal
Ando’s 222kg performance secured her first Asian Games medal after she lifted 96kg in snatch and 126kg in clean and jerk. That podium established her continental benchmark before subsequent Olympic, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games appearances added further international results.
Paris Performance Sets Recent Olympic Benchmark
Ando finished sixth in the women’s 59kg competition at Paris 2024 after successfully completing all six attempts during the Olympic final. She lifted 100kg in snatch and 130kg in clean and jerk, producing a 230kg combined total in France.
Her clean-and-jerk result and combined total established Philippine records in the 59kg category during her second consecutive Olympic appearance. Ando’s Paris total exceeded her Hangzhou performance by eight kilograms, although those results came from different bodyweight divisions.
Weight-Class Changes Require Proper Context
Ando competed at 64kg during Hangzhou, 59kg at Paris, and will enter the 61kg category during Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Those differences prevent direct comparisons between totals because bodyweight categories change competitive fields, records, and the numbers required for medals.
Asian Championships Add Recent Continental Form
Ando continued producing international results during the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships, competing again in the women’s 64kg division. She collected three silver medals after lifting 102kg in snatch, 130kg in clean and jerk, and 232kg overall.
The 232kg performance provided another continental benchmark after Paris while demonstrating Ando’s ability to produce competitive totals across changing divisions. Her Asian Championships results also offered more recent regional evidence than relying exclusively on the bronze medal earned during Hangzhou.
Ando Follows Silver Haul With SEA Games Gold
Ando later captured women’s 63kg gold at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after completing a 229kg combined performance. She lifted 98kg in snatch and 131kg in clean and jerk, adding another regional championship before Aichi-Nagoya.
Ando told INQUIRER.net that her current preparation has emphasized weaknesses identified through previous competitions rather than focusing exclusively on heavier training numbers. She also described her physical condition positively while approaching another major competition with extensive international experience behind her.
The Cebuana lifter has now competed at two Olympic Games alongside multiple Asian Championships, SEA Games, and Asian Games campaigns. Those appearances provide experience across different competition formats, opponents, and weight categories without guaranteeing any particular result in Japan.
“We train every day, and we really focus on the things we weren’t able to do well.”
Two-Time Olympian Brings Major-Event Experience
Ando represented the Philippines at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 before returning for another Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya. Her résumé now includes Olympic appearances, continental medals, SEA Games championships, and the Hangzhou bronze she will attempt to improve.
Philippine Lifters Enter Aichi-Nagoya With Experience
Ando also expressed confidence in the Philippine weightlifting delegation, describing a training environment built around athletes regularly supporting each other. She said members of the group bring previous Asian Games experience while preparing collectively before representing the Philippines in Japan.
That experience accompanies a Philippine weightlifting tradition highlighted by Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold medal during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Diaz became the country’s first Asian Games weightlifting champion, establishing another major milestone for subsequent Philippine lifters pursuing continental medals.
“We spend a lot of time together at the gym, so we train together and support each other.”
Ando Highlights Confidence Within Philippine Team
Ando said the national lifters remain confident about their medal opportunities while emphasizing excitement surrounding another Philippine appearance at the Asian Games. Her comments describe the delegation’s internal expectations without determining how individual competitions will unfold against their respective continental fields.
Industry Analysis: Numbers Need Context
Ando’s recent results illustrate why weightlifting performances require more context than simply comparing combined totals across different competitions. Her 222kg, 230kg, 232kg, and 229kg performances came across changing bodyweight categories, making event conditions and competitive fields essential comparisons.
Recent continental results therefore provide useful context alongside personal records when evaluating an athlete entering another major international competition. Ando arrives with an Asian Championships silver haul, SEA Games gold, Olympic records, and previous Asian Games bronze rather than projections alone.
Source Note: This report draws primarily from Lance Agcaoili’s INQUIRER.net coverage and Elreen Ando’s comments before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Historical results are supported by Olympic, Olympic Council of Asia, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games competition records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Elreen Ando win at the 2023 Asian Games?
Ando captured women’s 64kg bronze at Hangzhou 2023 after lifting 96kg in snatch and 126kg in clean and jerk.
What weight category will Elreen Ando compete in?
Ando will compete in the women’s 61kg category during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games weightlifting competition in Japan.
What records did Elreen Ando set at Paris 2024?
Ando established Philippine 59kg records with a 130kg clean and jerk and 230kg combined total during the Paris Olympics.
How did Elreen Ando perform at the 2025 Asian Championships?
Ando earned three women’s 64kg silver medals after recording 102kg in snatch, 130kg in clean and jerk, and 232kg overall.
What did Elreen Ando win at the 2025 SEA Games?
Ando captured the women’s 63kg championship with a 229kg total, adding another SEA Games gold before the Asian Games.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from Inquirer Sports – Inquirer.net.
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