Dec 06 (NHK) - Japanese professional shogi player Yoshiharu Habu has become the first person ever to win lifetime titles in all 7 major title matches.
On Tuesday, Habu defeated Akira Watanabe 4 to 1 in the best-of-seven final of the prestigious Ryuo Tournament. This was the 7th victory in which Habu has become a lifetime title holder.
Watanabe had won the Ryuo title 11 times previously, and was the only qualifier for the Lifetime Ryuo title.
Players that have won the same title a certain number of times are qualified to receive the lifetime title. Habu had already won 6 other lifetime titles. He now has a total of 99 shogi titles and tops the all-time title-winners' list.