Momoko Abe: What a model and golfer can do

Born on September 17, 1994, in Chiba Prefecture.
Miss Universe Japan 2017. Started playing golf at age 6, with a best score of 68.
In addition to working as a talent and model, she also appears on various golf programs with the aim of becoming a professional golfer.
She has appeared on numerous programs, including YouTube's "UUUM GOLF," BS11's "Moromizato Shinobu's Practical Golf Techniques!", and WOWOW's 30th anniversary drama series "Tokkai - Special Bad Debt Collection Department."

"I believe that God only gives us challenges that we can overcome," says celebrity and model Momoko Abe. She laughs, explaining that golf has given her a strong mentality and a positive personality. We spoke to her about her diverse activities, including taking the professional golf test while also working in the entertainment industry.

■My student days were all about golf

I started playing golf at the age of six. My mother was a professional golfer, so I started accompanying her to the driving range and learning from her. Since then, I've been practicing with the goal of becoming a professional golfer. During my university days, I joined the golf club and spent every day immersed in golf. Morning practice, class, home, practice... Even now, when I think back on it, my life was dominated by golf. I think I was known at university as the student who always carried a golf club with me (laughs). Back then, my mother taught me golf, so I had to call her "teacher" during practice. I couldn't rely on her when I wanted, and we would sometimes get into arguments, which was tough. There were many times when I thought, "I want to quit golf." However, we're now very close, and recently, the three of us, including my father, sometimes go golfing together as a family (laughs). I'm still in touch with the friends I made from the golf club, so I'm glad I joined the club.

■Selected as the coveted Miss Universe

I first learned about and became fascinated with Miss Universe when Riyo Mori, representing Japan, won the Miss Universe pageant in 2007. Miss Universe is a contest that places emphasis not only on external beauty but also on inner qualities such as intelligence, sensitivity, humanity, sincerity and confidence, and all the contestants who performed so well in this competition were truly wonderful.

You can apply from the age of 18, so when I was a freshman at university I told my parents that I wanted to aim to be Miss Universe, but at first they were against it, saying, "If your feelings haven't changed by the time you're a senior, please come back and talk to us again." Later, when I was in my fourth year, I still had aspirations, so I persuaded my parents and finally applied for Miss Universe, which was my dream.

Miss Universe has a variety of judging criteria, many of which test your mental strength, such as your speaking ability. In my case, I had a lot of time to reflect on myself through golf, so I was confident in my mental strength. Looking back, I think that was my strength. When I went to the world competition as a representative of Japan, I was happy to be able to make friends with representatives from all over the world. Many of the women who compete in the Miss Universe pageant are fascinating people, working hard to improve the status of women, and are considerate and kind. I still connect with them and keep in touch.

■What I saw through Miss Universe

I had been volunteering since my university days, but after being crowned Miss Universe, I volunteered in various places as part of my activities. Overseas, there were people who struggled to find food, clothing, and shelter, and I was often reminded of how fortunate Japan is. I was able to interact with many different people through the "Smile Train," an initiative to bring smiles to children's faces. The children I met in Cambodia were particularly memorable. Their environment and values ​​are different from those in Japan, but I was so happy to see them smile when I played with them. Many of the children there were orphaned, and when they hugged me, I felt a strong desire to help. You might think, "There's not much one person can contribute to the world..." But donating a bottle cap can mean a vaccine for someone else, and it's not just someone else's problem. I hope to spread the word about these individual volunteer activities and their impact.

■From the world of golf to the entertainment industry

When I applied for Miss Universe, I thought, "Once the contest is over, I'll go back to training to become a professional golfer." However, after becoming Miss Universe, I got more work in the entertainment industry, and I found it fun, so I decided to pursue this path. I'm very happy to be able to work with my father, and I think it's a way to show my appreciation for my father.

In my work in the entertainment industry, I want to give courage and energy to the people who watch me. Recently, I have also appeared in golf-related media, and I feel happy to be involved with my beloved golf within the entertainment world. In particular, working with golf apparel allows me to use gestures and poses that I can only do because I have played golf, and I feel like everything I have wanted to do has come together and taken shape, which makes me happy.

The appeal of golf is that you can play it in nature. And I think it's the opportunity to connect with a wide range of people of all ages, regardless of generation. Other than that, the joy you feel when your practice pays off and you've shaved a stroke off your time is incredibly great. Also, when you play golf with someone, you can get a sense of their personality (laughs)! I'm still taking professional tests and playing in tournaments, and I'm vaguely thinking about getting a license and working as a golf instructor in the future. In the entertainment industry, I'd like to continue working in golf-related fields, such as trying my hand at acting and spreading awareness of golf fashion.

■Be grateful for everything and cherish your connections

I want all university students to try everything they want to do. And don't forget to be grateful. I think it's important to be grateful for everything, including the work you've been given and the people you've met, and to be grateful for the connections between people. People can't live alone, and I think you'll stay connected to your friends from university, so please cherish them.

Student Newspaper Online Toyo University 2nd year student Honoka Hama