Chess Grandmaster Wesley So has officially bid motherland Philippines goodbye, as he became a United States citizen late February, the U.S. Chess Federation said Friday.
So first came to the country in 2012 as a freshman recruit for Missouri state's Webster University after much frustration with "Philippine sports politics". Since moving to the U.S., he has grown to become the reigning U.S. Chess Champion and Super Grandmaster.
Overall, he is currently the world's no. 9 in classical chess.
"I want to give back to a country that has been so good to me. From the moment I landed here I was encouraged and enabled to become better than I was. I like this attitude and the tremendous generosity of American culture," So said, explaining his decision.
MORE ON SPORTS: Meet Naomi Osaka, World's Next Tennis Queen
So explained that while being part of the American dream is a "dream come true" for him, it doesn't mean he doesn't love the Philippines still.
"I love that anyone can strive to succeed. You are not held back by your color, lack of connections or the amount of money you have. If you work hard, you have a better chance of making it here than anywhere else in the world. I came here ready to work hard, and it turned out just as I dreamed. That does not mean I don't love the Philippines," he said.
"I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture. I was from the province, not a city boy. Had no money etc. I wanted to go further, and there was only one country a nobody can make it. The USA!," he added.
