The Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) sees Elreen Ando and Albert Ian delos Santos as legitimate candidates to lead the country in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

SWP president Monico Puentevella told DAILY TRIBUNE both Ando and Delos Reyes’ performances in the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway last week only solidified their respective bids to beef up the Philippine delegation.

Ando, a two-time Olympian, won a bronze medal in the women’s 63-kilogram clean-and-jerk event after lifting 131kgs.

Meanwhile, Delos Santos set a new junior world record in the men’s 71kg event clean-and-jerk with a lift of 185kgs despite not winning a medal.

“At least we have two candidates now for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and that’s important. They have three years to prepare in God’s grace,” Puentevella said.

“This world championship is a prelude to the Olympics and this is just the opening salvo.”

Both Ando and Delos Santos were able to get a glimpse of their rivals in the World Championships.

Ando came face to face with Paris Olympics silver medalist Maude Charron of Canada and Pan-American Championships gold medalist Yenny Sinisterra Torres of Colombia during her campaign.

For Delos Reyes, he was able to test his strength against world champion Weeraphon Wichuma of Thailand and silver medalist Masanori Miyamoto of Japan.

In fact, both Delos Reyes and Wichuma could cross paths should they suit up for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.