Photo/Illutration Reo Fujita will become Japan's youngest professional go player ever at the tender age of 9 years and 4 months on Sept. 1. (Takaharu Yagi)

OSAKA--Another child go prodigy has burst onto the scene, with elementary school third-grader Reo Fujita to become the youngest player ever in the professional ranks in Japan at 9 years and 4 months. 

The Kansai Ki-in (Kansai Go Association) announced on Aug. 17 that it will accept Reo on Sept. 1 under a special program that allows gifted elementary schoolchildren to play as a professional without requiring them to pass the pro test.

He will break the current record in Japan of 10 years for youngest professional set by second-dan Sumire Nakamura three years ago.

“I want to be the strongest in the world. I’ll do my best,” Reo said at a news conference.

Reo, who lives in Osaka, began learning the strategic board game at a nearby go salon when he was 4.

When he was a first-grader, he became a professional candidate at the Kansai Headquarters of Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association). From the following year, he could defeat pro players even without a handicap, which is given to offset the playing ability between different ranks. 

Reo will receive his license as the second go professional under the special program following Sumire.

(This article was written by Nozomi Ozaki and Koji Ode.)

Related News