Yuka Saso (L) of the Philippines bites her gold medal as Bianca Pagdanganan (R) of the Philippines bites her bronze medal at the awards ceremony for the women’s individual golf event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 26, 2018. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — As expected, Filipino golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan officially qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Saso and Pagdanganan’s inclusion has pushed the Philippine Olympic contingent to 17 athletes.
The two secured slots in the Games after placing inside the top 60 of the Olympic Golf Ranking. Saso is at No. 9 after winning the US Women’s Open title earlier this month while Pagdanganan, who has also turned heads in her rookie year at LPGA, is at No. 42.
The Philippines now has three golfers competing in Tokyo with Pagdanganan and Saso joining Juvic Pagunsan.
Saso, who just turned 20 last June 20, is among the country’s strong bets to deliver a breakthrough Olympic gold.
Next month’s Games is considered as the country’s best chance of winning its first gold medal with the Philippine delegation deemed one of the deepest in recent memory.
Apart from Saso, headlining the Philippines’ campaign in Tokyo are Rio weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, rising pole vaulter EJ Obiena and middleweight contender Eumir Marcial.
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