By KOJI ODE/ Staff Writer
September 11, 2023 at 18:46 JST
Sumire Nakamura holds up the Women's Kisei trophy at an awards ceremony in March. (Koji Ode)
Fourteen-year-old go prodigy Sumire Nakamura is preparing to take her powerful game to South Korea and compete against the best players in the world.
And similar to baseball two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's jump to the major leagues, success overseas could be a boon for the ancient game in Japan.
“Like Shohei Ohtani in baseball, her achievements (in South Korea) will further develop interest in go in Japan,” said one go player in Japan.
Sources said Nakamura is planning to transfer her professional status to South Korea.
South Korea is home to the top go player in the world, Shin Jin-seo, as well as the strongest female go professional, Choi Jeong.
In 2019, then 9-year old Nakamura was invited to South Korea to play against her idol Choi before starting her professional career in Japan. The South Korean champion crushed Nakamura.
Nakamura has already submitted an application to the Korea Baduk Association for registration as a visiting go player. If the application is accepted, Nakamura would be the first go player to transfer out of Japan.
The Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association) has already consented to Nakamura moving to South Korea.
The association in April 2019 made an exception with Nakamura and allowed her to turn pro when she was only 10 on the grounds that she had the potential to become the world’s best.
In February, she became the youngest title holder when she won the Women's Kisei title match at only 13 years and 11 months.
Nakamura’s professional record is 147 wins and 82 losses, but she is already considered one of the top five Japanese female go players.
As an elementary school student before turning pro, Nakamura practiced go in South Korea for long periods of time and can speak the language.
While some think Nakamura's success overseas would help promote go, others regretted the fact she would no longer be competing in Japan, where she draws major media attention.
Nakamura has been conferring with the Korea Baduk Association, and she will likely move to South Korea around March 2024 after the defense of her Women’s Kisei title scheduled for early next year.
Once she completes the move, Nakamura would, in principle, be unable to compete in tournaments in Japan.
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