Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko on Sunday thanked Filipino-Japanese golfing sensation Yuka Saso for sending her “special message” on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
“Thank you so much @SasoYuka_315 for your special message for the 65th Anniversary of Japan-Philippines Friendship, and congratulations on your historic win in the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open championship!” Koshikawa said in a message posted on his official social media account.
The Japanese envoy also sent Saso his best wishes for the latter’s participation in this month’s Tokyo Olympics.
“We wish her the best of luck in the #TokyoOlympics!” the top Japanese diplomat in Manila said.
In her message on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Japan-Philippines diplomatic ties, Saso said: “May the deep, long and true friendship of the Philippines and Japan continue and bond to grow stronger in the years to come. Stay safe and take care of each other.”
On June 6, Saso bagged the championship trophy in the U.S. Women’s Open title in San Francisco, California. She was the first golfer from the Philippines to win the prestigious golfing event and matched the feat of Korean golfer Park In-bee as the youngest winner in the tournament’s history at 19 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Saso is expected to make her debut in the Tokyo Olympics and ranked among the top 10 players in the world.
The 20-year-old pride of San Ildefonso, Bulacan was a two-time recipient of the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s Athlete of the Year Award.
Saso also won the top prizes in the NEC 72 Golf Tournament in Nagano and the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament in Hokkaido held both in August of last year.