TWO reigning world champions will be recognized with the esteemed President’s Award in the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night on March 14.
Gymnast Carlos Yulo and golfer Yuka Saso will be honored by the country’s sportswriting fraternity for lifting Philippine sports into the world stage.
Saso, 20, made history when she clinched the US Women’s Open Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win any of golf’s majors.
Yulo, 22, was just as impressive, bagging the gold in the men’s vault event of the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan and adding the silver medal in the parallel bars.
“Both Yuka Saso and Caloy Yulo are deserving to be honored for their hard work and commitment to uplift Philippine sports around the world. And for bringing pride and joy to the country especially in this time of the pandemic, the PSA pays homage by bestowing them the President’s Award,” said PSA President Rey Lachica.
Yulo and Saso make up the compact list of 2021 awardees to be feted in the event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Cignal.
Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, is the recipient of the coveted Athlete of the Year award bestowed by the country’s oldest media organization.
The special event will be held at the Diamond Hotel and is presented by the Philippine Basketball Association, Milo, 1 Pacman, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, Smart, Philippine Racing Commission, and the MVP Sports Foundation.
Saso showed nerves of steel when she posted her historic victory in the early morning of June 7, beating 19-year-old Japanese Nasa Hataoka in sudden-death to win the prestigious US Open crown.
The Fil-Japanese, who idolizes Rory McIlloy, tied Inbee Park of South Korea as the youngest to win the US Open.
