21/08/2025
"98 year-old Player Sugiuchi Kazuko Retires"
Sugiuchi Kazuko 8p who holds the oldest player record as 98 years and 4 months has decided the retirement!
Her last game was on Thursday, 10 July 2025, in the 74th Oza tournament preliminary round (against Sugimoto Akira 8p)
Her Comment:
"I have worked hard until today based on the belief that ‘Go is an art form and a lifelong pursuit,’ but I have decided that it is no longer possible to play six hours straight without a break."
"I have been aspiring to become a professional Go player for over 80 years, and I am deeply grateful to the many people who have shown me kindness."
Upon her retirement, she was promoted to 9-dan on 21 August 2025 (*the first woman to achieve this rank in Japan).
Her Profile:
- Born on 6 March 1927 in Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan.
- Began studying under the late Fumiko Kita 8p in 1937.
- Became a professional in 1942.
- Won her first title in the 2nd Women's Go Championship in 1953, and won four consecutive titles.
- Promoted to 8 dan pro in 1983.
- Won 3rd Women's Meijin Title Holder, 1991
- Won 4th Women's Meijin Title Holder, 1992
- Won 5th Women's Meijin Title Holder, 1993
- Won 6th Women's Meijin Title Holder, 1994
- Won 5th Women's Kakusei Title Holder, 1983
- Won 8th Women's Kakusei Championship, 1986
- Won 2nd Women's Championship, 1953
- Won 3rd Women's Championship, 1954
- Won 4th Women's Championship, 1955
- Won 5th Women's Championship, 1956
* Prior to Sugiuchi Kazuko 8-dan breaking the oldest record on 11 April 2024, the oldest player was the late Sugiuchi Masao 9-dan pro, who was her late husband with 97 years old.
