Two weightlifters from Cebu have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Elreen Ann Ando and John Febuar Ceniza of the Samahang Weightlifters ng Pilipinas, and residents of Cebu City, showed strong performances on April 3, 2024 in Phuket, Thailand. 

A GMA News Online report said that the 25-year-old Ando proved a strong showing in the women’s 59kg event of the 2024 IWF Weightlifting Olympic World Cup Qualifier clinching a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Ando, who finished seventh during her maiden Olympic appearance in Tokyo three years ago, garnered a total lift of 228kg anchored on 100kg in snatch and 128kg in clean and jerk.

As for the 26-year-old Ceniza,  he booked his spot for the Summer Games following a strong showing in the men's 61kg event of the 2024 IWF World Cup.

Ceniza was able to seal his spot after he finished fourth in the World Cup, tallying a total lift of 300kg following a 132kg from snatch and 168kg in clean and jerk. 

Ceniza aspires to be the first man to win a weightlifting medal for the Philippines. In his post on his Facebook Reels, he has captioned a video on his training session with an inspirational quote that reads, “the pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow.”

Both athletes studied at the University of Cebu. 

The Paris Olympics is set from July to August 2024.