Overview
- Sōta Fujii, 23, formally received the Ōi title in Tokyo after defending it 4–2 over challenger Takuya Nagase in the 66th best-of-seven.
- At Meiji Memorial Hall, Fujii said he aims to address shortcomings in both technique and mindset as he looks to the next cycle.
- Yūta Iyama was invested after winning the 50th Gosei best-of-five 3–2 against Toramaru Shibano, securing his fifth consecutive Gosei.
- Iyama called the successful defense psychologically important following a stretch without strong results, and his totals reached 11 Gosei titles and 78 career tournament victories, the most on record.
- A representative for the Newspaper Igo Federation noted the surge of younger talent and encouraged Iyama to remain a formidable “wall” that helps energize the game.