Filipino weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando is going to the Tokyo Olympics.
This after Ando gained entry via the continental ranking, becoming the 11th Filipino athlete to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, and second weightlifter after Hidilyn Diaz.
The sport’s world governing body, the International Weightlifting Federation, finalized the remaining slots for the Tokyo Olympics through Absolute Continental Ranking.
It is determined via the second-ranked weightlifter from each continent, and fortunately for Ando, she is second in Asia in the 64-kilogram of the women’s division.
In the last Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Uzbekistan, Ando captured a pair of silver medals and a bronze.
Two years ago in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here, the 22-year-old Ando fell short on her bid to win the gold medal as she settled with a silver medal.
Despite the disappointing finish, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president, former congressman Monico Puentevella said she is one of the future weightlifting stars of the country.
Aside from Ando and Diaz, silver medal winner in the 2016 Rio Olympics, other Filipinos set to see action in the Tokyo Olympics are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, rower Cris Nievarez and skateboarder Margielyn Didal.