Photo/Illutration Sota Fujii celebrates after winning a second honorific title in Fukuoka on Aug. 20. (Motoki Nagasawa)

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii is continuing to take his older opponents to school, becoming the youngest holder of another major title in Japan on Aug. 20 at the age of 18.

Fujii, still a high school student, rolled over Kazuki Kimura, 47, in a best-of-seven match in Fukuoka to claim the title called “oi.”

The hugely popular shogi superstar won four straight games in the match to shut out Kimura. 

“Content-wise, I think I was on my back foot in many of the games,” Fujii said, reflecting on the series. “That is why I never expected to win four straight. The result exceeded my real strength.

“But I gained great experience in the best-of-seven series, so I will keep doing my best to use that experience."

Fujii continued to ride his hot streak, having won the honorific title called “kisei” in July. He was 17 at the time to become the youngest-ever kisei.

There are eight honorific titles for shogi players, including kisei and oi.

It took only about a month for Fujii to add the second title to his growing collection. Former shogi prodigy Yoshiharu Habu, now 49, claimed his second title at the age of 21 in 1992. He was the youngest to do so until Fujii broke his record.

By winning two major titles, Fujii also earned the rank of “hachidan.”

Hifumi Kato, 80, became a hachidan at the age of 18 years and three months in 1958. Fujii, aged 18 years and one month, now has broken Kato’s record as the youngest hachidan as well.

Fujii became a professional player at the age of 14 in 2016. He was the youngest ever to join the professional ranks.

After his debut, Fujii won 29 consecutive official games, which was a new record.

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