ITOCHU ENEX Announces a Sponsorship Contract with Professional Golfer Hayato Yoshida
ITOCHU ENEX Announces a Sponsorship Contract with Professional Golfer Hayato Yoshida
ITOCHU ENEX CO., LTD. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Kenji Okada, Representative Director, President and CEO) has entered into a one-year sponsorship contract with male professional golfer Hayato Yoshida, starting March 21, 2022.
Despite having a leg disability, Yoshida began playing golf at 29 and is active in the world of golf, winning the Japan Open Golf Championship for people with disabilities. He also acquired a PGA Teaching Professional Certification in 2022, the first athlete with a lower limb disability to do so in Japan. He is currently ranked 12th in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) (as of March 8, 2022), and he has a bright career ahead.
In the ITOCHU ENEX Corporate Philosophy, we proclaimed ourselves as "the best partner for life and society," and we have promoted diversity and inclusion and worked to develop the next generation in sports and support people with disabilities. ITOCHU ENEX empathized with Yoshida, who, despite being handicapped, is taking on the world, and decided to support him as a sponsor.
We will contribute to the development of a better society as the best partner for life and society through supporting Yoshida's golfing endeavors.
Profile: Hayato Yoshida
Born in 1983 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Above-the-knee amputation of right leg following an accident at the age of 24. Encountered golf just before turning 30 after an excruciating rehabilitation. Won both the 25th and the 26th Japan Open Golf Championship for people with disabilities. Ranked 12th in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) (as of March 8, 2022). Best score is 66. Qualified as a PGA Teaching Pro, B Level
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*Photo : Provided by the Japan Disabled Golf Association (DGA), a non-profit organization. -
*Photo : Hayato Yoshida (right) and ITOCHU ENEX's Kenji Okada (left)
Comments from Yoshida
I am so greatly honored to have entered into a sponsorship contract with ITOCHU ENEX. As the first professional golfer with a lower limb disability, I hope to help in developing the next generation and support persons with disabilities through golf, together with ITOCHU ENEX.
I will continue to offer courage and inspiration to many people as they see my desire to take on the world.
