Mr. Takemiya said "A likely strong pair is Ms. Tomoko Kato & Mr. Yoda pair, and also Ms. Suzuki & Mr. Ryu pair is good because Mr. Ryu is a gentle man. Ms. Konishi & Mr. Ishida pair also has a good potential since Mr. Konishi is reliable. Ms. Umezawa and Mr. Oh Meien play the same type of Go, so if the good wave will come, ... but probably, …not come. (Laughing) Ms. Aoki & Mr. Mimura, … yes, this is a good pair. Seems to be strong. As for Ms. Keiko Kato & Mr. Oh Rissei pair, Mr. Oh’s Go is too difficult to …? Ms. Osawa & Mr. Imamura pair is another good one. Well, Ms. Mannami & Mr. Takao pair seems to be very strong. This pair must be the top favorite."

Mr. Yoshio Ishida forecasted "The best potential winner would be Ms. Kobayashi & Mr. Yamashita, the champion pair last year. The second favorite is Ms. Mannami & Mr. Takao pair. This pair should be highly ranked. If not, …it is the case only they get onto bad terms with each other. The following favorite is Ms. Tomoko Kato & Mr. Noriki Yoda pair, and Ms. Keiko Kato & Mr. Oh Rissei pair, isn’t it?"

Ms. Mannami & Mr. Takao pair and Ms. Osawa & Mr. Imamura pair got on the stage as a representative of all the pairs. Ms. Mannami: "This is my first entry, and I feel very happy. Mr. Takao got married with a nice partner in the last spring. I wish to be a good partner with him in this pair Go tournament." Mr. Takao: "This is the second time to participate in the pair Go tournament, and I remember I lost two games consecutively last time. Since I got married this year, I have learned how to walk out with a woman. I believe that our pair will get quite well this year." Ms. Osawa: "I played with Mr. Yuki last year. He was very gentle man. I hope Mr. Imamura is so gentle as him, or much more. At least, I wish I would not give him a hard time." Mr. Imamura: "I remember that players from Kansai Go Institute won first place in the tournament 3 times in the past. I am expecting that this year is the possible timing for Kansai Go Institute to win the championship again." Other players at the site expressed their hopes one by one.

Mr. Hane: " I always lost two games in the past, but this year I will try to win two games."

Ms. Ayumi Suzuki: "I feel very honorable to participate in this tournament. Mr. Ryo takes care of younger players very much on a routine basis. Even if I would play improperly, he would follow it gently. But, I wish I would not bother him at all."

Ms. Inori: "I played with Mr. Cho Chikun successively for 3 times, but this time my partner changes to Mr. Kato. He is a great player studying under Kitani, as same as may teacher. I am expecting a lot."

Ms. Keiko Kato: "Unfortunately, I could not entry this tournament last year due to my unfavorable achievement. So, this year I am very happy to be here. I think it hard for me to follow Mr. Oh Rissei because his Go is very difficult. Personally, he is one of my most respectful players, so I wish I would try my best any way."

Ms. Ogawa: "We, Mr. Cho Chikun and me, are fellow disciples studying under Kitani. I have seniority in it, so I wonder if Mr. Cho would feel hard from being reserved. Any way, I will do my best."

All are very unique pairs newly coupled this year. Who do you forecast for the winner?