Zhejiang: The Philippines achieved a notable feat at the Asian Weightlifting Championships held at the Husnan Sports Park in Zhejiang, China, by clinching seven silver and seven bronze medals. Elreen Ann Ando, a weightlifter from Cebu who has represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, excelled in the women’s 64kg category. She earned three silver medals by lifting a total of 232kg, divided into 102kg for the snatch and 130kg for the clean and jerk.
According to Philippines News Agency, the gold medals in this category were secured by China’s Li Shuang, who lifted 105kg in snatch, 134kg in clean and jerk, and achieved a total lift of 239kg. Korean weightlifter Mun Minhee completed the podium with a total lift of 214kg, comprising 94kg in snatch and 120kg in clean and jerk.
In another commendable performance, Rosegie Ramos from Zamboanga City brought home three silver medals in the women’s 49kg category, lifting a total of 197kg (90kg in snatch and 107kg in clean and jerk). The top spot was claimed by Thanyathon Sukcharoen of Thailand with a total lift of 200kg, while China’s Xiang Linxiang came third with a lift of 189kg.
Cebuano lifter Fernando Agad Jr. also showcased his prowess by winning a silver medal in the men’s 55kg clean and jerk category with a lift of 141kg. He narrowly missed a podium finish in the snatch and total categories, placing fourth. The gold medal in this category went to China’s Wang Weidong, who lifted a total of 265kg, followed by Vietnam’s Gia Thanh Lai with 260kg, and Saudi Arabia’s Mansour Al Saleem with 254kg.
Looking ahead, Kristel Macrohon, a gold medalist from the 2019 SEA Games and a bronze medalist from the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, is set to compete on Tuesday. Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella highlighted the significance of these achievements, emphasizing how success in such competitions enhances prospects for future Olympic participation, specifically pointing to the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
