Elreen Ando, a Filipino weightlifter, achieved an exceptional feat at the Southeast Asian Games by setting a new record in the women’s 59kg division and clinching a gold medal for the Philippines. The event took place on Sunday at the Olympic Complex in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Ando exhibited her strength and skill by lifting an impressive 98 kilograms in the snatch. She further demonstrated her prowess by successfully hoisting 118 kilograms in the clean and jerk in a single fluid motion. Her outstanding performance resulted in a total lift of 216 kg, surpassing the previous Southeast Asian Games record.
Suratwadee Yodsarn from Thailand secured the second position with a total lift of 206 kg, closely followed by Hoang Thi Duyan from Vietnam with a total lift of 205 kg.
Ando began the snatch with an initial weight of 92 kg, which she effortlessly lifted. She then increased the challenge by successfully lifting 96 kg. Ultimately, she accomplished her best lift of 98 kg, establishing a significant seven kg lead over her closest rival, Yodsarn.
To secure the gold medal, Ando only needed to successfully lift 118 kg in the clean and jerk, a task she flawlessly accomplished.
In a separate event, Rosalinda Faustino earned a silver medal in the women’s 55kg class. Her total lift of 184 kg placed her in second position, trailing behind Juliana Klarisa from Indonesia. Faustino impressively lifted 80 kg in the snatch and attempted to claim the gold with a final lift of 107 kg in the clean and jerk. Unfortunately, she was unable to complete the lift, falling three kg short of surpassing the Indonesian’s total.
