Elreen Ando has firmly established herself as one of the Philippines’ brightest weightlifting talents, continuing the country’s strong tradition in the sport through consistent success on the international stage and a growing reputation as a medal contender in major competitions.
The 27-year-old has already built an impressive résumé, highlighted by two Southeast Asian Games gold medals and three silver medals at the Asian Games. Her rise has kept Philippine weightlifting in the global spotlight following the historic achievements of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who remains a guiding figure and inspiration for the current generation of national lifters.
Diaz-Naranjo made history for the Philippines at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by securing the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, a breakthrough that elevated the sport to unprecedented levels in the country. For Ando, that moment became both motivation and a benchmark as she continues her pursuit of Olympic success, with her long-term goal set firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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Ando has often spoken about the influence of Diaz-Naranjo on her career and the broader Philippine weightlifting program, crediting her as both a role model and a source of encouragement for younger athletes.
“She is very supportive, and she is happy for us to get a gold medal as a team. She wants more Hidilyn Diazes in Filipino weightlifting. I was inspired by her to become a gold medalist at the Olympics,” Ando said in a media interaction.
Looking ahead, Ando has expressed her ambition to follow in Diaz-Naranjo’s footsteps on the Olympic stage, with a clear focus on delivering a breakthrough performance in Los Angeles.
“After inspiring the Filipino athletes myself, I will get the gold medal soon. I want to be like Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the next Hidilyn, if I get the gold at LA 2028,” she added.
フィリピンの女子重量挙げ界の次世代を担うElreen Ando（エルリーン・アンド選手）
私は次のヒディリン・ディアスさんになりたい・・・https://t.co/Vjt7qcajX7— フィリピン情報/Philippines (@akaihachi) May 12, 2026
Notably, Ando has already proven her versatility by winning gold medals in two different weight categories at the SEA Games, showcasing her adaptability and strength despite the constant physical adjustments required in elite weightlifting. However, she has opted to skip the Asian Weightlifting Championships in order to prioritize recovery and manage her body ahead of a demanding competition schedule.
“It’s a super hard adjustment because the body is not ready, it’s not prepared for my weight,” Ando continued, emphasizing the physical demands of shifting categories and maintaining peak condition.
Her Olympic journey also includes a memorable appearance at the 2024 Paris Games, where she competed in the 59kg category. Interestingly, she secured her qualification at the expense of Diaz-Naranjo, adding a compelling chapter to their intertwined careers. In Paris, Ando finished sixth overall, but produced a standout final attempt that she described as one of the most meaningful moments of her career.
“My favorite memory in Paris was the last attempt because it was so close. I missed the first, second and third attempts, so I had to get the last attempt. I’m happy that I did that. I trained hard, sacrificed time away from my family. I always train hard three times a day. All the things that I have done so far, all the things I have been through, they all came from this sacrifice,” she stated.
Beyond her achievements on the platform, Ando’s journey has been shaped by profound personal loss. A native of Carreta in Cebu City, she lost her mother at a young age and later lost her father in 2022. She has often credited her late father as a major source of motivation in her pursuit of sporting excellence.
“Before I competed in the SEA Games, he told me, ‘Go get the gold medal,’ but I did not do it while he was alive. Unfortunately, he was not able to see me win the gold medals. He had been dreaming of getting the gold. It was very special for me because I got all the gold medals that I had dreamed of giving to my father,” Ando added.
As she continues to evolve as an athlete and prepare for future international competitions, Ando’s focus remains firmly on improvement, recovery, and long-term Olympic success. Her journey reflects not only athletic ambition but also resilience shaped by sacrifice, setbacks, and personal determination.
With the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics still ahead, Ando stands as one of the Philippines’ strongest medal hopes, carrying both the legacy of her predecessors and the expectations of a nation eager for more Olympic success.
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