Hidilyn Diaz (left) and Elreen Ando (right). | Inquirer photos
DAPITAN CITY, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando fell short in claiming a podium finish in their respective weight categories in the ongoing International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) 2023 World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 8, 2023.
This was after, Diaz finished seventh and Ando at eighth place in the women’s 59-kilogram division.
READ: Ando, Ceniza to vie in IWF World Championships in Riyadh
China’s Lou Shifang swept the entire weight category by winning all three gold medals in the snatch, clean & jerk, and the overall.
Shifang lifted 107kgs in the snatch, 136kg in the clean & jerk for a total of 243kgs overall.
Ukraine’s Kamila Konotop earned the silver medal with a total lift of 236kgs. Konotop lifted 106kgs for the silver in the snatch, 130kgs in the clean & jerk which earned her another silver medal for the total weight.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz vows to do everything to get another Olympic gold medal
Rounding off the top three was Chinese Pei Xinyi who lifted 232kgs in total for the bronze. Xinyi lifted 102kgs in snatch and 130kgs in clean & jerk.
Meanwhile, Diaz, lifted a total of 224kgs for the seventh place. She placed 11th in the snatch after her 97kgs lift. She lifted 127kgs in the clean & jerk which landed her at sixth place.
On the other hand, Ando of Cebu had 222kgs total lift. She finished seventh in the snatch after lifting 100kgs and 11th in the clean & jerk from her 122kgs lift.
READ: Cebuano weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza secures silver medal in 32nd SEAG
Earlier this week, another Cebuano, John Febuar Ceniza finished fifth place in the men’s 61kgs division.
After the IWF 2023 World Championships, Ando and Diaz will proceed to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China later this month which is an opportunity for them to redeem their shortcomings in Riyadh.
According to Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) national coach Ramon Solis, after the Asian Games, they are expected to compete also in the 2023 IWF Weightlifting Grand Prix in Havana, Cuba in December.