Two-time Olympic weightlifter Elreen Ando likes her medal chances as she competes in the women’s 61-kilogram category of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The 27-year-old Ando said she feels right at home in her new weight category.

Ando will lead a five-member weightlifting team composed of Albert Ian delos Santos, Rosegie Ramos, Kristel Macrohon and Eleaphraime Wacoy Limmong.

“It’s right in the middle of the categories I competed in when I was 59kg and 63kg, so it’s comfortable for me. It’s just in the middle of the weight classes I used to compete in,” Ando said.

“I put more effort into my training, ma’am. I hope that my achievements in the previous Asian Games will help me improve my performance and achieve better results this time.”

Ando will be one of the strong Filipino bets in the upcoming Asiad after winning a bronze medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

All eyes will be on Ando after Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz opted to skip the Asiad to focus on the growth and promotion of weightlifting in the country.

Ando said she will have to adjust her lifts as she continues to recover from a leg injury.

China, Chinese Taipei and host Japan will pose threats to Ando’s medal quest.

“The biggest challenge was that I just recovered from an injury, so my recovery is still ongoing. Now, I’m 100 percent ready,” Ando said.

“This is also the reason why I thought I would quit because of what I’ve been through. But God still has a reason for me to achieve my goals.”