Cebuana weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando concludes her Paris Olympics campaign in high spirits despite failing to nab a medal, lifting a new personal best total of 230kg en route to a sixth-place finish in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event.

The 25-year-old Olympian from Cebu registered 100kg in the snatch, and lifted 130kg – a new personal best by 2kg– in the clean and jerk.

Ando’s successful snatch came during her second of three attempts, good for eighth place coming into the clean and jerk event. 

She tried her luck at 102kg on her third and final snatch but failed to maintain balance on the way up.

Needing a miraculous leap in the clean and jerk session for a chance to rank in the top three, Ando attempted to lift 130kg on her first try but failed to get under the bar.

The Cebuana almost had it on attempt number two after a successful clean, but ultimately lost balance as her left knee gave up on her way to a jerk. 

Ando’s defining moment came on her third attempt as she was able to stick through the upward motion and finally cleared 130kg in the clean and jerk event, a heartwarming scene for the Filipina whose spirits were clearly uplifted with a succesful final attempt, and a new personal best no less.

Her previous record in clean and jerk was 128kg.

Luo Shifang of China took home the gold medal with a grand total lift of 241kg, while Maude Charron of Canada (236kg) won silver.

Kuo Hsing-Chun, the former division title holder who won gold in 2021 at the Tokyo games, settled for a bronze medal after a total lift of 235kg.