No pressure for Diaz, Ando to deliver medals in Tokyo Olympics, says weightlifting chief

The Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) is not putting any pressure on Filipina weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando when they compete in the Tokyo Olympics later this month.

In an interview with GMA News Online, SWP president Monico Puentevella said the federation is already proud enough of what the two Filipinas have accomplished so far.

"What we're praying now is that they just compete well and that nobody gets injured along the way," Puentevella said.

"I believe they can win at least a bronze medal but I'm not pressuring them. I told them to just do their best and that regardless of the result, we're behind them."

Diaz, a silver medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics, is among those tipped to finish on the podium after having been in the Olympic stage for four times in a row now. She brings with her success in both the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games, where she won gold in the latest editions.

Meanwhile, Ando, who was the 11th Filipino to qualify for the quadrennial meet, is also tipped to pull some surprises in the Games.

"Of course, we're all hoping to have another medal, a gold medal. But we have to temper our expectations from these athletes," Puentevella said.

Weightlifting events at the Tokyo Games will take place from July 24 to August 4 at the Tokyo International Forum. Diaz will be the first to grace the global meet on July 26 in the women's 55 kilograms division while Ando, competing in the women's 64 kg, will follow suit on July 27.

"They have been preparing hard for this. And Elreen, although she qualified just last month, she's still really working hard."

—MGP, GMA News