PHNOM PENH—Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ann Ando finally struck gold on her third try, ruling the -59kg event of the weightlifting competitions in record fashion in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Sunday at the National Olympic Stadium here.
The 24-year-old Ando proved to be a cut above the rest as she lifted a total of 216 kgs, a new record total, to go with two other new marks she set±the clean and jerk with her 118 kgs, and the snatch at 98 kgs.
“It’s just a matter of redeeming myself after all those failures and heartaches, especially in the last Asian Championships when I did not finish my clean and jerk. I focused on my training and came to my senses again,” said Andro, who could only muster silver-medal finishes in Vietnam last year and the Philippines in 2019.
Ando placed 7th in the Tokyo games two years ago.
Thailand’s Suratwadee Yodsarn settled for the silver with a 91-kg lift in snatch, and 115kg in clean and jerk for a total of 206 kg, while Vietnamese Hoang Thi Duyen placed third with a 93kg in snatch, 112kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 205 kg.
The old record in snatch (96kg), clean and jerk (115 kg) and total (210 kg) was established by Duyen in last Hanoi, Vietnam Southeast Asian Games in May 2022.
Ando also ended the Vietnamese’ two-year reign in the 59 kg.
So far, the Philippines has one gold in weightlifting, and four silvers courtesy of Angeline Colonia (women’s 45 kg), Lovely Inan (women’s 49 kg), John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61 kg) and Rosalinda Faustino (women’s 55 kg).
“It is the start of Philippines’ rise in weightlifting. As what I said after Colonia’s silver, others will follow,” coach Edmund Cardano said. “Reigning champion Vanessa Sarno and Kristel Macrohon will follow Ando, I believe.”
Vanessa Sarno, the reigning women’s 71kg champion, will compete on Monday while Kristel Macrohon sees action on Tuesday in women’s +71 kg event.