A 10-year-old Japanese girl is set to become the youngest professional player of the Asian board game "Go" next month.

At a ceremony in Tokyo on Tuesday, Sumire Nakamura from Osaka and 12 others received their "sho-dan" licenses, the lowest professional rank. The players turn professional on April 1.

The Japan Go Association, or Nihon Ki-in, decided in January to induct Nakamura into the professional ranks under a special quota to develop players to rival champions in China and South Korea, where the game is also popular.

Nakamura says she aims to become one of the world's top players.

Risa Ueno from Tokyo will become the third-youngest female professional at age 12 years and 9 months. She finished first in a test to recruit female players.

Ueno said she appreciates the people who have supported her and hopes to win titles in the game.

Source: ANNnewsCH