Day: July 18, 2022

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Triller Calls for Immediate Ban of TikTok Dubbing it Greatest Existential Threat to the Fabric of America

Triller Calls for Every American to Delete TikTok Today and the U.S. Government to Take Direct and Overdue Action to Ban TikTokTriller Calls for Immediate Ban of TikTok

Triller Calls for Immediate Ban of TikTok

LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triller calls on CFIUS, President Joe Biden, Congress the Department Of Defense to ban TikTok calling it the largest security threat to America today in open letter by CEO and Chairman of Triller Mahi De Silva.

As the CEO of a global company whose mission is to help creators take control of their destiny in the creator economy, leveraging transformative adaptive technology, I stand with a growing chorus of elected officials, regulators, intelligence officials, other global executives, and consumers who recognize the enormity of the devastating impact of TikTok on our society. The danger signs abound from the leaders of our intelligence community to the most versatile and connected technology journalists. Every American parent needs to ask what this social video app knows about their children and how those signals are used to get a deeper understanding of the location, preferences, and habits of their parents and the entire family. The petaflops of data sent from American TikTok users start with content preferences and location information that can quickly lead to the determination of home ownership, work, and vacation schedules and a host of much more granular data on every aspect of our American lives.

Today, we call for every American to remove TikTok from their devices immediately. Additionally, Triller calls on the U.S. government to take immediate action and ban TikTok and its Chinese-owned parent ByteDance. The stakes have never been higher.

Professor Scott Galloway’s recent piece, TikTok: Trojan Stallion, illustrated this deftly:

“The Chinese government has the power to access the data of private- sector companies whenever it wants. A wide range of laws makes this possible, including the Law of Guarding State Secrets: If you’re suspected of harboring sensitive state information, you must grant access. The state takes small ownership positions known as golden shares (that typically come with board seats) in businesses deemed strategic to the state. One of those golden share arrangements is with ByteDance. And though TikTok is not accessible to Chinese consumers, Chinese access to TikTok’s data is not in dispute. In June, Buzzfeed obtained over 80 audio recordings of internal TikTok meetings, confirming that Chinese management at ByteDance had unfettered access to TikTok’s data. A TikTok manager refers to an engineer in Beijing, known as the ‘Master Admin,’ who “has access to everything.”

This creates some meteoric concerns around TikTok in the United States.

The AI systems that drive the recommendation of short-form videos will be expanded to influence e-commerce and its associated supply chain, which, in turn, will shape and influence the future of American commerce. The Chinese-owned ByteDance and its agent in the United States, TikTok, already have the lion’s share of digital attention, where Americans spend up to 90 minutes a day scrolling through AI- recommended content, far more than the time spent on platforms like Google, Facebook, or Amazon.

More importantly, our concerns as Americans should extend beyond our wallets to the very backbone of our society: representative democracy and free speech. The AI systems controlled by Chinese- owner ByteDance and delivered via TikTok are the penultimate tool to influence our youth by shaping content and perceptions favoring a pro-China agenda.

It is clear that in the lexicon of technology, the signal-to-noise ratio for TikTok and its Chinese-owned parent ByteDance is all signal. It has become unavoidable that TikTok’s overweight position in the marketplace is not simply a threat within the creator ecosystem but a threat to our entire economy, because its Chinese owners don’t have to abide by the same rules as other platforms in this space. These present and future dangers threaten the whole of the American innovation economy.

We understand that some may counter that Google, Facebook, and Triller also collect a myriad of digital grains of sand on users; however, like every other U.S. company, Triller operates under the laws of the United States. It also may seem convenient for a company to call for the ban of the biggest company in its space. But at our core, Triller is about giving creators complete control over their content and their fan data — and ultimately … complete control of their destiny.

As Professor Galloway rightly concluded, we have, as a society, welcomed a foreign actor to seduce our children and dominate this market, and we have done so without objection.

Triller believes that must end.

As Triller has expanded to build the platform for creators and to lay the foundation for its first-of-its-kind Creator Platform, we have developed a far more profound understanding of the creator economy. Through our lens, which watches over 175 billion social media content items per quarter, covering over 2 million creators and 25,000 brands, we have witnessed that TikTok suppresses the content and contributions from Black creators, making that content invisible to its audiences. It is indisputable that the TikTok AI algorithm designed by ByteDance is the ultimate propaganda tool — and it is why India has banned the app from its citizens. Another example is TikTok’s role in the recent Philipino elections for Bong Bong Marcos, as detailed by Bloomberg. As the article expertly assigns culpability to TikTok’s role in rewriting the history of the Philippines, it should also be a clarion call for each of us to understand that exact mechanism is in each of our homes.

There is no doubt that TikTok plays a central role in enabling surveillance networks inside and outside China. The avenues that these technologies can access our lives are almost unlimited. This is a clear and present danger and a national security issue.

Look at the breadth of data that TikTok has access to and understands. Then, marry it with the broader concerns that our political leaders, intelligence community, and business leaders are raising — where there is smoke, there is fire.

Triller is pulling the fire alarm today.

We do not have time to waste.

Triller, the platform for creators by creators, has built a network of creator-first services and products. It has assembled a revolutionary ecosystem to serve the immediate and long-term needs of those who seek to share their passions with the world. While our focus is on the creator and the future of the creator economy, we believe the broader future of American innovation is at risk because of our continued indifference to this threat that is literally in our hands.

Join us today and take action. Join us and all clear-thinking, freedom- loving Americans who believe in free markets, creative freedom, innovation, and a future where we can direct our lives unhindered by dark forces.

Mahi de Silva
CEO
Triller, Inc.

About Triller:

Triller is the AI-powered open garden technology platform for creators. Pairing music culture with sports, fashion, entertainment, and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology, Triller encourages its influencers to post the content created on the app across different social media platforms and uses proprietary AI technology to push and track their content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks, enabling them to reach millions of additional users. Triller additionally owns VERZUZ, the live-stream music platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland; Amplify.ai, a leading customer engagement platform; FITE, a premier global PPV, AVOD, and SVOD streaming site; and Thuzio, a leader in B2B premium influencer events and experiences. Triller recently filed for an IPO expected to occur later this year.

About TikTok:

TikTok is a Chinese communist party trojan horse weapon of war disguised as a short form app that 80 percent or American children have downloaded on their phone. It can read, download, watch, copy, track and control any and all aspects of the phone the information of the owner and those close to it and sends the information back to America’s greatest enemy the China Communist Party. Make no mistake about it, TikTok is not a toy but one of the most advanced weapons of war to ever invade America.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca8bb25e-7e18-4071-846d-6d75cf7bfbe9


Triller PR

Brian O’Shaughnessy
brian@triller.co
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Charles Lachaux Signs Exclusive Direct to Consumer Distribution Deal With Blockchain-Based Membership Wine Community Crurated

Crurated clients will have special access to Lachaux’s small production wines that are in high demand globally

Charles Lachaux, Golden Vines 2021 “best young winemaker on the planet”

Charles Lachaux, Burgundy’s most forward-thinking winemaker, announced an exclusive partnership with blockchain-based membership wine community Crurated. Lachaux’s celebrated and award winning wines, that are small production and in high demand all over the globe, will be sold exclusively to Crurated members.

LONDON, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Charles Lachaux, Burgundy’s most forward-thinking winemaker, today announced an exclusive partnership with blockchain-based membership wine community Crurated. Under the terms of the deal, Lachaux’s celebrated and award winning wines, that are small production and in high demand all over the globe, will be sold exclusively to Crurated members. More details on the offerings and on Crurated membership can be found at www.Crurated.com.

For members special offerings will be released in multiple phases throughout the year. The first offering includes 1 mixed case of six appellations:

  • Bourgogne Aligoté, Les Champs d’Argent, 2021
  • Bourgogne Rouge, La Croix Blanche, 2021
  • Côte de Nuits Village, Aux Montagnes, 2021
  • Aloxe-Corton premier cru, Les Valozières, 2021
  • Nuits Saint Georges village, La Petite Charmotte, 2021
  • Nuits Saint Georges premier cru, Aux Argillas, 2021

Starting July 25th the wines will be offered to Crurated members through private sale.

“Innovation in winemaking is key to producing and distributing an exceptional bottle of wine,” said Charles. “For decades wine has been distributed to discerning wine lovers without an eye for how the process can be improved. Crurated streamlines access to rare wines and their use of blockchain and NFT technology provides buyers with the authenticity and provenance much needed in this industry. They are the ideal partner for us as we embark on a new age of direct to consumer wine sales.”

“Our team is fortunate to be working with the world’s greatest wines and winemakers and Charles Lachaux is no exception,” said Alfonso de Gaetano, Founder of Crurated. “Our blockchain-based technology platform has revolutionized the way rare wines are bought and sold. We are the first member-based wine community to offer full transparency and asset value protection. This model is already redefining the wine cellar far beyond the four walls.”

Each bottle will be accompanied with an NFT. Recorded forever on the blockchain, the NFT will verify the authenticity of the bottle and provide other important details including ownership history, vintage, vineyard location, varietal, and other key details. The NFTs are easily accessible by tapping on an NFC or RFID enabled phone. The bottle history is also updated via a new blockchain recording anytime the wine is resold and the token moves from one client to another.

Although Charles Lachaux wines will be sold directly to consumers exclusively through the Crurated platform, B2B restaurant sales will still be handled by distributors.

About Charles Lachaux
Charles Lachaux has made revolutionary changes to the viticulture at Arnoux-Lachaux, pushing the boundaries of Burgundian winemaking today. Described by Jancis Robinson as “a bright new star”, he embodies the new generation. In 2021 Charles was crowned “best young winemaker on the planet” at the Golden Vines Awards held in London. He is an advocate of high density planting, low yields and intensive vineyard work, which includes training his vines into long ‘arches’ rather than pruning their shoots. Lachaux represents the 6th generation to care for the family estate located in Vosne-Romanée (Côte-d’Or).

About Crurated
Launched in 2021 with an emphasis on France and Italy, Crurated is a membership-based wine community designed to connect connoisseurs directly with world-class producers. A team of specialists provides personalized services and authentic experiences, while Crurated’s seamless logistics service guarantees quality and provenance thanks to secure wine cellar storage and innovative blockchain technology. For more on Crurated, visit crurated.com.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46bc59bd-f682-410f-94ff-03d5c0785b65

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2c51c18-d26f-4042-bbd6-6eb2502e8f88

Contact:
Michael Volpatt
(415) 994-8864
michael@larkinvolpatt.com
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WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings to Announce Second Quarter 2022 Results on August 3, 2022

PHOENIX, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: WSC) today announced that it will release its second quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after the markets close.

Chief Executive Officer, Brad Soultz and President and Chief Financial Officer, Tim Boswell will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10 a.m. EDT to discuss the results.

The live call can be accessed by dialing (800) 715-9871 (US/Canada toll-free). A live webcast will also be accessible via the “Events & Presentations” section of the company’s website www.willscotmobilemini.com. An archived version of the webcast will be available for 60 days following the call.

About WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “WSC.” Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the Company is a leading business services provider specializing in innovative flexible workspace and portable storage solutions. WillScot Mobile Mini services diverse end markets across all sectors of the economy from a network of approximately 275 branch locations and additional drop lots throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Additional information can be found on the company’s website at www.willscotmobilemini.com.

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries:

Nick Girardi
nick.girardi@willscotmobilemini.com

Media Inquiries:

Jessica Taylor
jetaylor@mobilemini.com

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Algernon Pharmaceuticals Hits Co-Primary Endpoint in its Phase 2 Study of Ifenprodil for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Chronic Cough

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company” or “Algernon”) (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW0) (OTCQB: AGNPF) a clinical stage Canadian pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce positive topline data showing that it has met the co-primary endpoint in its Phase 2 proof of concept study evaluating NP-120 (“Ifenprodil”) for the potential treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (“IPF”) and chronic cough. In the study, 65% of patients had stable or improved forced vital capacity (“FVC”) over the 12-week treatment period with statistical significance when compared to an anticipated placebo effect of 40%. FVC is the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from one’s lungs after taking the deepest breath possible.

Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B), which prevents glutamate signalling. Ifenprodil represents a novel first in class treatment for both IPF and chronic cough.

IPF Data Set

To understand the potential efficacy for Ifenprodil in IPF patients, lung function in this trial was measured by FVC (a best-efforts measurement) which was taken for each patient at baseline, and then again at 12 weeks. Patients whose FVC declined were classified as non-responders, while those whose FVC improved or remained stable were classified as responders. The primary endpoint of the IPF part of the study was the proportion of patients who responded.

Of the 20 patients who enrolled, 13 (65%) had stable or improved FVC over the 12-week treatment period with statistical significance when compared to an anticipated placebo effect of 40% (p=.0225, 95% CI 40.8 to 84.6%, all numbers are Intent-to-Treat analysis). Importantly, key opinion leaders advising the company, as well as historical data on previously conducted IPF clinical studies(1), indicated that approximately 30-40% of patients IPF patients would experience no decline in FVC if they were dosed with a placebo over the 12-week period, demonstrating that Ifenprodil showed promising initial IPF efficacy in this trial.

The Company also reports trends to reduction in many of the serum markers that were tested including proC3, C3M, C6M, reC1M, proC8 and ELP-3, although the data did not reach statistical significance. Elevation of these markers has been associated with increased mortality and risk of disease progression in previous research studies.

“The IPF data looks quite good,” said Dr. Martin Kolb, professor of respirology at McMaster University and global expert on IPF. “I was very surprised to see the data achieve statistical significance with such a small study size, when you consider the original goal of the study was to try to identify a signal. As a result, I am confident that the Company should begin planning a sufficiently powered Phase 2b study to investigate Ifenprodil as a possible new treatment for IPF patients, including those who have associated cough.”

Chronic Cough Data Set

For the chronic cough part of the study’s primary endpoint, 30% of subjects achieved the endpoint of a 50% reduction in the average number of coughs per hour over 24 hours from baseline to week 12. While this primary cough study endpoint did not achieve statistical significance when compared to an anticipated placebo effect of 25%, the secondary endpoint of actual changes (reduction) in cough counts did. Specifically, subjects experienced a 24% relative reduction from baseline in mean cough count, and a 38% relative reduction from baseline in median cough count in their 24-hour cough count per hour at week 12 (p=0.0344). In addition, 75% of subjects saw improvements in their cough over 12 weeks.

This data shows that while Ifenprodil didn’t achieve the more stringent primary endpoint parameter on cough, there is a definite signal (effect) when comparing cough counts directly to their baseline measurement. Furthermore, in contrast with recent studies on cough drugs targeting purinergic receptors, the observed effect may not be dependent on a subject’s baseline cough count; in a subgroup analysis, subjects with baseline cough counts below the median for the study appeared to achieve similar reductions in relative cough count to those with baseline counts above the median.

“These data are quite compelling,” said Dr. Jacky Smith, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, and an Honorary Consultant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. “Although the primary cough endpoint does not reach statistical significance, the reductions in cough counts, particularly the median cough counts, are suggestive of a beneficial effect. Furthermore, the choice of a 25% response rate as a comparator may understate the benefit. Existing IPF therapies have little to no effect on cough, and so coupled with the results in IPF seen in this trial, there is great reason for optimism. I am working with the Company to further analyze the data and encourage them to continue to study the effects on cough as development of this drug continues.”

Safety Data

The results also show that Ifenprodil’s safety profile in this trial was consistent with findings from previous studies of the drug, with no new safety signals observed. 45% of subjects experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE), most of which were mild in intensity. The most common TEAE’s were gastrointestinal disorders (25%) and decreased appetite (10%). One participant withdrew from the study due to a hepatic neuroendocrine tumour unrelated to Ifenprodil, that resulted in death. Although Ifenprodil has been used in Japan for decades to treat vertigo, this is the first study in an IPF population, and so the Company is pleased to report that no new safety concerns were identified.

Full Data Set

The Company expects to receive the full data set from the study in August 2022 and will present the full results of the study at the 21st International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis in Reykjavik, Iceland in October 2022.

“Simply put, the IPF data is better than we could have imagined,” said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon. “The outlook for patients with IPF remains dismal, with 50% mortality expected within 3-4 years and new drugs are desperately needed. Also, the IPF market size is projected to reach $4.2 billion by 2030(2), so it is a very commercially appealing indication to be advancing a new drug for. While the cough data is also promising, we will wait until we have the full data set before making any final decisions on pursuing both IPF and chronic cough in separate Phase 2b clinical studies, or focussing on just IPF patients with associated cough.”

U.S FDA pre-IND

Based on the positive data, the Company plans to file a pre-IND application with the U.S. FDA for a Phase 2b IPF study. The current plan would be to switch to a new once-a-day formulation of Ifenprodil from the 3-times daily dosing currently being used. The Phase 2b study will also have multiple arms, multiple doses, would be placebo controlled and would be double blinded and randomized.

For chronic cough, the Company has already filed a pre-IND application with the U.S. FDA and has announced that it has received positive feedback.

The Company will take additional time to review the full data set before a decision is made to pursue an independent Phase 2b study of chronic cough or to focus on Ifenprodil as a potential new IPF drug that also reduces cough for those patients that are suffering from both.

U.S Orphan Indication and Breakthrough Therapy

IPF is also classified as an orphan disease indication and as such, any new approved drugs are provided 7-year and 10-year market exclusivity in both the U.S and Europe, respectively. The Company plans to file for an orphan designation with the U.S FDA for Ifenprodil and IPF shortly.

The Company plans to file an application with the U.S. FDA for a Breakthrough Therapy designation as soon as possible.

Breakthrough Therapy designation is a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition where preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint(s).

Ifenprodil Patents

The Company also recently announced that it has been issued a patent from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, No. 3101853, for the treatment of interstitial lung disease with Ifenprodil, entitled “Compositions and Methods for Treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.”

The invention claims treating interstitial lung disease, including IPF, with Ifenprodil. The base claims of the patent will be valid through 2040, excluding any patent term adjustments or extensions which may provide additional protection. The Company also has active patent applications for Ifenprodil for the same compositions and methods in the U.S., Europe, China and Japan.

About Ifenprodil

Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B). Ifenprodil prevents glutamate signalling. The NMDA receptor is found on many tissues including lung cells, T-cells, and neutrophils.

      https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/5/1902151(1)
https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-market(2)

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. 

Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets. Algernon specifically investigates compounds that have never been approved in the U.S. or Europe to avoid off label prescription writing.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701

info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

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Cambodia’s Ruling Party Supports Hun Sen As PM Candidate For Next Election

PHNOM PENH) – The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) concluded its extraordinary central committee conference yesterday, fully supporting the candidacy of incumbent Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, for the post of prime minister in the next term, if the party continues to win the general election on Jul 23, 2023.

 

“The conference solemnly expressed its support for Hun Sen as the Prime Ministerial candidate, for the seventh legislature of the National Assembly, and Hun Manet as Prime Minister candidate for the future,” said a party’s communique.

 

Hun Sen, 69, has been in power for 37 years, while his eldest son, Hun Manet, 44, is currently a member of the CPP’s Permanent Committee. In the army, he is a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.

 

The communique was released at the end of a two-day CPP extraordinary central committee conference, held at the party’s headquarters in Phnom Penh, under the presidency of Hun Sen, who is also the CPP’s president.

 

The conference also urged all political parties, civil society organisations and other circles in society, to continue to work closely together in accordance with the principles of democracy, to actively contribute to the creation of a better political environment for the upcoming general election in 2023.

 

“At the same time, we must prevent any hostile activities, from whatever sources they maybe, that seeks to destroy peace, political stability, security and public order,” the communique said.

 

The CPP has ruled the country since 1979, and its current central committee consists of 865 members.

 

In the 2018 general election, the CPP won all the 125 seats in the National Assembly.

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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10-year-old Japanese Golfer Closing in on 12th Sponsor

Miroku Suto of Japan looks like a professional golfer with logos of 11 sponsors splashed across her polo shirt, cap, bag and even her belt. Her parents say the deals are worth in the mid-six figures annually, with some contracts for 10 years. A 12th sponsorship is waiting when she returns to her home three hours outside of Tokyo.

The sponsors are so important that Suto’s mother and caddie, former figure skater Miyuki Suto, had her daughter change into a sponsor’s belt before she sat for a video interview and carefully arranged her hat in her hands so the logos could be seen.

Miroku Suto has extreme confidence, saying through an interpreter she wants to become “a legend.”

She has a ways to go. She’s only 10.

Although Suto won consecutive titles in the 6-and-under age group at the Junior World Golf Championships in 2017-18 on a par-3 course, she hasn’t done as well as she’s moved up in age.

She struggled this year in the 9-10 age group and tied for 17th, 18 shots behind the winner on a par-74, 4,201-yard layout at Sycuan Resort Willow Glen Course. It’s the third straight time she has left San Diego without a title (the 2020 tournament was canceled because of the pandemic).

While other girls and boys in the 9-10 age group goofed around on the putting green waiting for the awards ceremony, Suto did interviews on the fringe of a nearby green, including one with a Tokyo TV crew that had followed her around for three days on a suburban course. She did show some playfulness when she briefly laid on her back and did the equivalent of a snow angel on the shaded grass.

Otherwise, it’s all business. She and her mother were dressed alike, including wearing coral-colored seersucker shorts.

Suto is well-known in Japan, a golf-crazed country that has produced two major champions in recent year — Hinako Shibuno in the 2019 Women’s British Open and Hideki Matsuyama at the 2021 Masters. It is not uncommon for TV ratings in Japan to be higher for women than men.

Even at her age, Suto’s golfing exploits are routinely featured on TV, but not so much in the rest in the world — at least not yet.

She is not the first child star. Michelle Wie was 10 when she shot 64 on her home course in Honolulu and became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. At age 13, she won that tournament and remains the USGA’s youngest champion. She nearly won an LPGA major at 16 and eventually won a U.S. Women’s Open in 2014.

That same year, 11-year-old Lucy Li became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. The sixth-grader missed the cut at Pinehurst No. 2. Earlier this month, now a pro, Li won her second Epson Tour event and is all but assured an LPGA card for next year.

For sponsorships, Suto came along at the right time.

Li ran into trouble with the USGA three years ago when she appeared in an Apple ad. The rules back then prohibited amateur golfers from using their names or likeness for personal gain in promotions or advertisements for products. The USGA gave her a one-time warning.

But the USGA and R&A — Japan falls under the jurisdiction of the latter — have modernized rules. Starting this year, the rules for amateur status eliminated all advertising, expense-related and sponsorship restrictions. The rule change was aimed at elite amateurs who might need funding to reach their potential.

The kid still has a long way to go to fulfill that.

Golf’s most famous prodigy was a young Californian named Tiger Woods. He won his age division in the Junior World, a tournament that has attracted the best from around the world since 1968, six times in eight years.

Sponsorship money wasn’t available for Woods, who appeared on the “Mike Douglas Show” when he was 2. During his World Golf Hall of Fame induction speech in March, Woods spoke passionately about his parents taking out a second mortgage on their home to pay for his development through national junior programs.

Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, another Hall of Famer, won five consecutive Junior Worlds

in her age division.

Suto has won other international junior titles, such as the US Kids Championship last year, along with titles in Malaysia and Europe.

Acknowledging through giggles that it is “very difficult” to win these tournaments, she said her putting wasn’t good at the Junior World. She also broke her driver during a practice round and a new one was rush-ordered and brought over by the Tokyo TV crew.

Suto, who is home-schooled, said she would like to match Woods’ six Junior World titles. She has plenty of time, given the top end is the 15-18 age group.

Does Suto feel any pressure?

“No pressure,” she said.

And there is no lack of attention or sponsorship as she chases her goals.

 

 

Source: Voice of America