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Yukari Umezawa Woman’s Kisei who is very busy and Keiko Kato Woman’s Meijin arrived saying, ‘I am sorry, I am late!’ The participants were assembled and the lottery was started. |
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The system of lottery is to pick balls with letters written from each box by the male and female professionals.
The MC, Ms. Miyoko Goto, announced, ‘This year, the professionals who are participating for the first time will make a speech of their determination.’ And then, they went toward the stage. Let’s introduce ‘their determination’. |
| Mukai 2dan said, ‘I am nervous. I don’t have much of experience of Pair Go, so everything is a challenge. I am hoping that my partner, sensei, will lead me. Thank you.’ |
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Okuda 2dan said, ‘For me, too, my experience of Pair Go is only once or twice and I am nervous. I am happy to be on such a colorful stage. Thank you.’
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| She was followed by a male professional. Yih Tzuu Huang 7dan who had just turned 20 years old and he went up on the stage seeming shy and said, ‘It is my first time to participate but my determination is that although usually I can’t win professional tournaments but in Pair Go, if I follow my partner, I might be able to win. So, I will try hard to follow my partner.’ He made the audience laugh. |
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Michel Redmond 9dan who livens up the audience at the commentary every year appeared as a participant, this year. Surprisingly, this is his first time to participate. He said, ‘At Ricoh Cup, I have been a commentator for a long time. It is a fun and colorful event so fans are enjoying it. I will enjoy playing the games.’
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| Sakai 7dan’s determination, too, livened up the audience. He said, ‘Before the games, I examine the game records of the opponents. In this tournament, I have to examine three persons’ game records (audience laughed) so it will take time. But I will do my best in any case, so this time, too, I will examine three person’s game records properly.’ |
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After the professionals who were participating for the first time, one by one, the other professionals picked the balls. As soon as Umezawa Woman’s Kisei picked a ball, she raised her voice ‘Ah!’ with delight. Her partner is Huang 7dan. The first strong looking pair has been decided. (Of course, every pair seems strong.) |
Rin Kono Tengen was chosen by Shei Woman’s Saikyo, there was a stir ‘Oh~’ in the hall. Following last year, among the professionals, Shei Woman’s Saikyo’s drew their attention.
Ayumi Suzuki 4dan who has chosen her partner, Koichi Kobayashi 9dan, said ‘Oh!’ with exaltation. Koichi 9dan was absent on this day but on behalf of her father, Izumi Kobayashi 6dan exchanged greetings with Suzuki 4dan.
The last pair which was decided was U Cho Gosei and Kana Mannami 4dan pair. Cho Gosei was absent because of the Meijin Title Match. Izumi 6dan, then, sent an email to her husband about it. |
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Now, accordingly, the 16 pairs have been decided. Please see the list of the pairs below. |
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