Elreen Ando snags SEA Games gold in women's 63-kg weightlifting

Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ando secured the gold medal in the women's 63-kg class at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi, Thailand.

Ando lifted 102 kg in snatch and 127 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 229 kg, winning by at least 10 kilograms.

Vietnam's Thuy Thun Tien Nguyen took silver with 219 kg, and Thailand's Thanaporn Saetia won bronze with 218 kg.

Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, who had settled for fourth in a previous event, served as Ando's chief cheerleader and participated in the victory ceremony.

This gold medal marks Ando's second SEA Games championship, having previously won the -59kg division two years ago in Cambodia.

The victory follows Ando's bronze medal finish in the clean and jerk at the World Championships in Forde, Norway, less than two months prior.