Philippines’ Yuka Saso watches her drive from the 9th tee in round 3 of the womens golf individual stroke play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on August 6, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Yuka Saso’s decision to represent Japan in the future was a bittersweet pill as the star golfer brought honor to the Philippines during her young career.
The 20-year-old won two gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games as part of the Philippine national team and was the youngest winner, along with South Korea’s Park Inbee in 2008, of the US Women’s Open.
Saso also represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics wherein she finished ninth.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino’s thanked Saso for representing the Philippines.
“Still, she was born here in the Philippines so by heart she represents both. I would like to thank her personally for representing our country for the past years,” said Tolentino in a statement.
“Her personal business decision will her develop more as a person and athlete … carrying a Japanese passport for every international tournament helps a lot, imagine no visa needed. Health care and social benefits, too, plus the big sponsorships from Japan.”
Japanese law states those who hold a dual citizenship must permanently choose which country they will represent before turning 22.
Saso was born in the Philippines to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father.