Sixteen-year-old Go fourth-dan player Sumire Nakamura has won her first official title in South Korea. She defeated 19-year-old fifth-dan Jung Yu-jin in the finals of the fourth Hyolim Cup Future Queen Strongest Tournament for young female Go players on Thursday. Nakamura, a prodigy who became Japan's youngest professional Go player in 2019 at age 10, achieved this milestone after transferring to South Korea's Go association.
Sumire Nakamura, a 16-year-old fourth-dan Go player, secured her first official title in South Korea by defeating 19-year-old fifth-dan Jung Yu-jin in the finals of the fourth Hyolim Cup Future Queen Strongest Tournament on Thursday. This event targets young female Go players and marks a significant achievement for the Japanese prodigy in her adopted Go association.
Nakamura's journey began impressively in 2019 when she turned professional in Japan at age 10, becoming the youngest professional Go player in history. Previously affiliated with Nihon Ki-in, Japan's Go association, she transferred to the Korea Baduk Association in March 2024. In December of that year, she reached the finals of two official tournaments in South Korea but lost both best-of-three matches.
Currently ranked fourth among female players in the Korean Go association, Nakamura's victory highlights her rapid progress since the transfer. This win not only boosts her standing but also underscores the growing ties between Japanese and Korean Go communities, with fans from both nations celebrating her success.