ASSURED of an Olympic ticket, weightlifter Erleen Ann Ando yesterday said she is in dire need of proper assistance so she can prepare and perform better for the Tokyo Olympic Games just barely over a month from now.
“Gusto ko lang masuportahan ‘yung needs ko sa training para sa Olympics. Vitamins, pagkain, ‘yung mga gamit sa pang-training,” Ando said a day after being informed she had qualified for the Olympics after earning a slot through the International Weightlifting Federation Absolute Rankings list.
After placing 12th overall in the women’s 64-kilogram division, she secured the seat through the IWF Absolute Continental Ranking for Asia on the strength of the two silver medals she won in the Asian weightlifting championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last April.
Based in Cebu City, Ando, 22, said among her immediate needs were a new weightlifting belt and weightlifting shoes plus vitamins to enhance her build-up for Tokyo.
“Sira na po ‘yung ginagamit kong weight belt kaya nanghihiram na lang po ako sa mga teammates. Kailangan ko na rin po ng weightlifting shoes dahil sira na rin po ‘yun,” she said, mentioning the Anta brand that is popular among weightlifters.
