Ando in, Hidilyn out for Paris Olympics weightlifting tilt

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ando is expected to punch her ticket to the Paris Olympics after a strong finish in the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on Wednesday.

Ando’s win dashed the chances of fellow Filipino weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to qualify for this year’s Olympics in the 59 kilogram category of the women’s division.

Ando notched 100 kilograms for snatch and 128 kilograms for clean and jerk, good for 228 total kilograms.

This was good enough to put her in seventh place in the event, which also boosted her chances of finishing within the top 10 of the Olympic Qualification Ranking.

Diaz, on the other hand, recorded 99 kilograms for snatch and 123 kilograms for clean and jerk.

The first Olympic gold medalist of the Philippines could not finish her second and third attempts at 127 kilograms, which put her total at 222 kilograms.

Diaz was ranked 11th in the event. She needed to move up a weight class after the 55-kilogram division, which she ruled in the Tokyo Olympics, was scrapped.

According to the Olympics website, only one athlete per National Olympic Committee per weight class will be able to qualify to the Summer Games.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) also confirmed Ando’s place in Paris.

“A thrilling win for Ando in the 59 kg category! Let's give a round of applause to Hidilyn Diaz as well for her unwavering competitive spirit and sportsmanship. Mabuhay kayo! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” the POC said in a Facebook post.