Ando lifts way to bronze in IWF World Championships

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time Olympian weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando is starting to become like someone she had envisioned herself to be — a legitimate medal contender in the 2028 edition of the quadrennial event in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Cebu native showed a glimpse of that potential by copping a bronze in the women’s 63-kilogram class of the IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway Sunday.

There, the Southeast Asian Games gold winner and Asian Games bronze medalist lifted 131kg to claim the country’s first and only medal in Forde so far.

And it could have been two bronzes had she not lost that one to Colombian Yenny Sinisterra, who had identical 231kg lift but took it on tiebreaks after being the first one to reach that mark.

Sinisterra had only 128kg in clean and jerk but had 103kg in the snatch.

Ando, who had 100kg in snatch, wound up fourth.

North Korean Ri Suk swept all three golds with a 253kg total on a 111kg lift in snatch and 142kg in clean and jerk.

Albert Ian delos Santos, who is just 19 years old in competing against older foes in the men’s 71 kg section, also achieved a milestone, registering 185 kg lift in clean and jerk that set a new world juniors record.

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