In the "Women's Go Player Recruitment Examination", which is the gateway to becoming a professional Go player, the final match was the first ever battle between elementary school students, and Shinji Zhang (12), a sixth grader, won and became the third woman in history. It has been decided that he will be a professional player at a young age.
According to Nihon Ki-in, Mr. Zhang was 12 years old from Tokyo and grew up in a Go family with his father Cho U 9dan, his mother Izumi Kobayashi 7dan, and his sister Cho Ushinsumi 1st Dan.
Mr. Zhang took part in the "Women's Go Player Recruitment Test" at Nihon Ki-in, the gateway to becoming a professional shogi player, and reached the final round on the 29th with a round-robin tournament of eight players, 5 wins and 1 loss.
In the final round, which was also 5 wins and 1 loss in the 5th grade of elementary school, it was the first ever battle between elementary school students with Saki Yanagihara, and Mr. Zhang won and the 1st place was confirmed, and it was decided to enter the professional.
Mr. Zhang was 12 years and 4 months as of April 1st, when he officially became a professional shogi player. After months, she will be the third youngest female to become a professional.
Also, if you become a professional player, you will be the youngest player in Nihon Ki-in.
Mr. Zhang said, "Today's game has been a difficult development, but I'm happy to be a professional shogi player. My goal is to be a professional shogi player, and I want to be stronger."
Father Cho U 9th Dan "Feelings like a miracle"
Cho U's parents, Cho U 9th Dan and Izumi Kobayashi 7th Dan, who have been decided to become professionals, also rushed to Nihon Ki-in to congratulate them.
Cho U Kudan said, "I can't believe it because I thought it was still a long way off. I've been visibly growing these days, so I thought I might have a chance. It feels like a miracle. "
A blessing comment from the younger record Nakamura 2nd Dan and Fujisawa Rina Honinbo
Regarding Mr. Zhang Shinji's offer to become a professional, Nakamura Kaoru 2nd Dan, who holds the youngest record in history, and Rina Fujisawa, who became a professional at the second youngest in history, gave congratulatory comments.
Nakamura Nidan said, "Congratulations on your entry. I studied with Shinji-chan several times last year. I hope to continue working hard to become stronger with each other."
Fujisawa Women's Honinbo said, "Congratulations on entering the stage. The other day, I was surprised to hear from my mother, Izumi Kobayashi (Go player, 7th Dan) that I was still far from being a professional at the women's Honinbo inauguration ceremony. (Laughs). My father, Cho U (Go player, 9th Dan), has been indebted to me for a long time. It's really amazing that the whole family becomes a professional. I have never hit it, and I am looking forward to hitting it in the official game in the future. "