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Fujii Sota Sweeps Ryuo Title Match, Clinches Fifth Straight Crown and 'Eisei Ryuo' Status

At 23, he becomes the youngest player to qualify for three lifetime titles.

Overview

  • Game 4 of the 38th Ryuo best-of-seven, played Nov. 12–13 in Kyoto, ended after 138 moves with Fujii winning as the second player.
  • The victory sealed a 4–0 series over challenger Yuki Sasaki, 31.
  • By defending the Ryuo for a fifth straight year, Fujii secured qualification for the lifetime Ryuo, his third lifetime honor after Kisei and Oi.
  • He is the third to earn the lifetime Ryuo distinction after Akira Watanabe and Yoshiharu Habu, and the honor is typically assumed formally after retirement.
  • Fujii currently holds six major titles, underscoring his sustained dominance at the top of professional shogi.