Olympian Elreen Ando has long carried the weight of her dreams — and in Forde, Norway, she finally lifted them into reality.
The Cebuana weightlifter captured the bronze medal in the women’s 63kg clean and jerk at the 2025 IWF World Championships, marking another milestone in her journey from hopeful athlete to global contender.
Ando successfully hoisted 131 kilograms in the clean and jerk to finish behind North Korea’s Ri Suk (142kg) and Canada’s Maude Charron (133kg). She also lifted 100 kilograms in snatch for a total of 231 kilograms, good for fourth place overall in the combined standings.
For Ando, the moment was more than just a podium finish — it was the fulfillment of a dream years in the making.
“Since then, I’ve always dreamed of winning a medal at the World Championship, and God made that dream come true,” she said, her words brimming with gratitude and emotion. “Una, gusto kong magpasalamat kay God sa pag-gabay at sa lahat ng magandang plano Niya para sa akin.”
The 25-year-old lifter, who represented the Philippines at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was quick to credit the people who stood by her through every lift, failure, and comeback.
“Salamat din sa family at partner ko, Abegail Latonio Dejito — this is it, love,” Ando shared. “At sa mga taong walang sawang nagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa akin.”
She extended heartfelt thanks to her longtime support network — Team Ando, the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, and Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella.
“Thank you always, Ma’am Fatima Christiana Pereyra, for taking care of me since day one,” Ando said. “To Sir Arturo Aro, thank you so much for everything and for always supporting athletes since the beginning. Ma’am Jeaneth Aro, thank you so much for your guidance with my nutrition. I really appreciate all your help.”
No message was more personal, though, than the one for her longtime mentor.
“At sa pinaka-idol ko na coach na never akong tinatalikuran, Coach Christopher Bureros — isang medal na lang kulang sa ating pangarap, coach!” she said. “Salamat sa oras, pasensya, at pagtitiwala sa akin.”
Ando also expressed her appreciation to Coach Jaquelin, whose encouragement continues to inspire her to push harder.
