Three weightlifters that include Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ando and former Asian champion Vanessa Sarno will do double duty for the next few weeks when they compete in two crucial tournaments. *It will be a busy schedule for Elreen Ando and two other lifters when they see action in two tournaments in the next few weeks. (File Photo/AFP)*


Ando, Sarno and John Fabuar Ceniza are lined up to participate in the 2023 Weightlifting Championships in Jinju, South Korea set on May 3 to 9 before they see action in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The weightlifting event in the biennial meet will be held on May 13 to 16 at the National Olympic Stadium. Ando, 24, said she is not pressured to compete in both tournaments particularly in the Korean tilt, where ranking points are up for grabs to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She will also be competing in the same weight class – the women’s 59kgs – with Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. “Hindi naman ako kinakabahan. Inspired yung nararamdaman ko kasi makakasabay ko yung idol ko sa isang category,” said Ando, who had to drop her weight after competing in the 64kg in the past including the Tokyo Olympics. Ando also added she is using the Asian tournament as her buildup for the SEAG, where the team hopes to surpass their two-gold medal haul in the previous edition held in Hanoi, Vietnam last year. Meanwhile, Ceniza is the lone male competitor for the PH team in the Asian tournament where is lined up in the 61kg, while Sarno will battle in the women’s 71kg. Joining the Korean-bound crew are sisters Rose Jean and Rosegie Ramos, who are lined up in the 45kg and 49kg.