HANGZHOU, China – Weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando is getting closer to realizing her dream of owning a brand new house.
That’s because the Tokyo Olympian assured herself a cash reward of P400,000 for nailing the 8th bronze medal of Team PH in the women’s 64-kilogram class on Monday in the 19th Asian Games here.
Part of the bonus Ando will be receiving from the Philippine Sports Commission as mandated by law under RA10699 will be used in buying a house of her own.
“Gusto kong bigyan ng reward ang sarili ko dahil matagal ko na gustong magkabahay,’’ said Ando, who is also likely to receive bonuses from Philippine Olympic Committee under the leadership of Tagaytay Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the government of Cebu and other generous sponsors.
Also certain for Ando is that she will have a grand birthday when she turns 25 on Nov. 1
Thanks to her solid clean and jerk performance that saw her lift the second-best 126kg, Ando tallied 222kg to finish third in the contest won by another North Korean in Unsim Rim (252kg).
Her bronze medal win made up for a sorry fourth-place finish of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz in the 59kg division that was won by North Korean sensation Kim Ilgyong who shattered both the world and Asian records.
It was also a redemption of sort for Ando after a disappointing showing in the Asian Championships.
“Nalungkot talaga ako noong nag-zero ako sa Asian Championships. Nawala ang lungkot at napalitan ng saya dahil medalya na ito,” said Ando, who also dedicated her win to her father who passed away two years ago.
Team officials are now hoping that Ando’s unexpected bronze will rub off on Vanessa Sano when she competes in the 76kg on Oct. 5.
Sarno is trumpeted as the heiress apparent to Diaz.
