May 19 (NHK) - Japanese teenage shogi chess sensation Sota Fujii has set a new record. The 15-year-old high school freshman has become the youngest player to achieve the rank of 7th-dan.
Fujii defeated 31-year-old 6th-dan player Kohei Funae in the semifinal of the 5th group at the Ryuo tournament in Osaka on Friday.
With this victory, Fujii fulfilled the conditions for promotion to the 7th-dan rank. He broke the record set by retired Hifumi Kato 61 years ago. Kato reached the rank at the age of 17.
Fujii said he did not expect to reach the rank so early and that he is happy that his efforts bore fruit.
Fujii earned two successive promotions in February, reaching the 5th-dan and 6th-dan rankings.
Source: ANNnewsCH
