Philippine weightlifting gained another entry in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Elreen Ando, who also became the 11th Filipino Olympian in this year’s quadrennial meet.

Ando was awarded the slot in the continental allocation in the women’s -64kg event on Saturday, June 12, as she became the the highest-ranked athlete in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Absolute Ranking list for her event in Asia.

The top eight weightlifters in the world rankings booked a direct qualification to Tokyo, but under the consideration that there will only be one representative from each country per weight category.

Ando, ranked No. 12 in the list, emerged on top for Asia as Wen Huei Chen of Chinese-Taipei already cracked into the top eight at No. 7.

The budding Cebuana weightlifter is eligible to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, having completed all six qualifying tournaments.

Ando ramped up her bid for a Tokyo 2020 berth with two silvers and a bronze in the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships, tallying 2,634.93 points.

The 22-year-old Ando joins 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who secured her fourth straight Olympic appearance in the women’s 55kg event.

Also in the Philippine Tokyo 2020 delegation are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, and skateboarder Margielyn Didal. – Rappler.com

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