 |
 |
| ■>Pair Go Ricoh Cup 2001 The Final |
| Children Play the Leading Part in the Taiwanese Go Situation |
| It is known that Mr. Shouki O, leading Go player in Taiwan, devoted endeavored to popularize Go by establishing the Mr. O Cup and encouraging the spread of Go in the U.S. and Europe. As Mr. O has passed away, I found that the enthusiasm for Go has grown more than expected in this country. In parallel with the Ricoh Cup finals, a Go tournament among elementary school pupils was held at a gymnasium in Taipei. The number of children participating in the tournament was as large as 1,400. The seats were occupied by the parents of the players and there was a heated atmosphere in the gym. |
|
|
||
| I hear that this tournament is held once every year. Honinbo Mr. O Meien said, "It is no wonder. There are as many as 60,000 elementary school pupils who play Go in this country." According to a local person concerned in the tournament, people who are over 40 are decreasing among the participants in Go tournaments there days. The reason for this is that children win every tournament. As a result, senior tournaments with the lower limit of age at 50 are newly held, gaining popularity among old players. In place of adult players, children are beginning to play leading part in the Go world in Taiwan. |
 |
