Japanese shogi star Sota Fujii on Monday became the youngest winner of eisei lifetime status for a shogi title by fending off a challenge for his Kisei title.
Fujii, who also holds six other titles, defended the Kisei title in Nagoya by winning the first three matches in a best-of-five series against challenger Takayuki Yamasaki, 43.
He gained the eisei Kisei status at the age of 21 years and 11 months by winning the title for five straight years, starting with his first win in July 2020.
The previous record for the youngest eisei status was set 53 years ago by the now-retired Makoto Nakahara, 76, when he became eisei Kisei in 1971 at the age of 23 years and 11 months.
The latest feat makes Fujii the sixth eisei Kisei, joining the ranks of the late Yasuharu Oyama and 53-year-old ninth-dan player Yoshiharu Habu. The eisei title is used after retirement in principle.
Despite losing the Eio title on June 20 this year and relinquishing his monopoly of all eight major titles, Fujii has continued to put on strong showings.
"I am pleased I was able to seize my first opportunity to gain eisei status," he said in a post-match media interview. "It is a privilege, and I think my future performances will be scrutinized even more closely."
Fujii will seek to win his second eisei status by defending the "Oi" title in a best-of-seven series against challenger Akira Watanabe, 40, beginning Saturday.
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