MANILA, Philippines — Olympic weightlifter Elreen Ando is embracing the challenge as she aims to upgrade her previous bronze medal finish at the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Shrugging off the pressure, the 27-year-old decorated athlete expressed excitement for her return to the continental stage.
"I am very excited because I am hoping for another medal at the Asian Games," Ando said in Filipino. "I am eager to win another medal and hopefully improve from my previous bronze finish."
Ando secured a bronze for the Philippines at the 2023 Hangzhou Games with a total lift of 222 kg. Building on that momentum, she set a new personal best and Philippine record of 230 kg at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her resume also features back-to-back gold medal performances at the 2023 Cambodia and 2025 Thailand Southeast Asian Games.
Now embracing her role as a team leader, Ando expressed high hopes for the entire national roster, which includes flag bearer Albert Ian Delos Santos, Rosegie Ramos, Kristel Macrohon, and Eleaphraime Wacoy Limmong.
"We have full confidence that all of us can win medals," Ando added. "We train together every day at the gym and address our weaknesses so we can execute at our best. My body feels completely ready."
The Asian Games weightlifting competition will run from September 22 to 28, featuring 14 medal sessions over seven days. The Philippines last captured Asian Games weightlifting gold in 2018, when Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz topped the women's 53 kg division.
