PALAU – Momo Saruang Ueki, a dual Palauan-Japanese soccer standout, has committed to the University of California, Los Angeles. The 18-year-old striker, who plays for Japan’s national team, chose UCLA over scholarship offers from Harvard, Nebraska, and other top U.S. schools.
Born in Japan to a Palauan father and Japanese mother, Ueki began playing soccer at age 8. She has excelled both on and off the field, earning a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while leading Japan to a second-place finish at the recent Asia Cup. She is the team’s leading scorer this year.
“Momo is doing what she loves and is right on track to accomplish many if not all of her academic and athletic goals,” said her father, Star Ueki. He added that his daughter will compete in the World Cup later this year and has her sights set on Europe’s top women’s leagues after college.
Ueki is named after her Palauan great-grandmother, Saruang Ngoriakl, who was married to Chief Ibedul Ngoriakl.
“Momo has a long road ahead of her, but she definitely can achieve whatever she puts her mind to,” Star Ueki said.