Pair Go RICOH CUP 2009 [ Ricoh Cup The Final ]

Now, the opening ceremony was started.

Same as last year, the MC was Ms. Miyoko Goto. She said, "The day of the final game which Go fans are looking forward to is starting. Before the opening, organizers and guests will make speeches." At first, Mr. Masashi Matsuda, the chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, went up on the stage.

Mr. Matsuda said, "I thank you for many people who gather here today. "Pair Go" is now fascinating many people in the world. In the Western countries, not like in Japan, women are modest (audience laugh), men are holding their property and women live quietly. So, I understand that Pair Go which men and women enjoy with gender equality is popular. Today, the final game will be played by professionals with a lot of energy so I'd like to enjoy the great game with you all."

Then, the chief Judge, Hideo Otake Honorary Gosei, the director of Nihon Ki-in, went up on the stage.
Mr. Otake said, "As a professional player, I thank you for coming. Today, you can look forward to the exciting game. Also, I hope you enjoy the commentary of Mr. Yoshio Ishida and Ms. Tomoko Ogawa. In Pair GO, if you win you will be happy twice as much and if you lose, you can blame on your partner (audience laugh). For professionals who usually play tough games, it is a fun tournament. I am so happy to spend such time. I hope you enjoy the whole day."

Later, Mr. Hiroshi Hamada (the supreme advisor of the Ricoh Co.Ltd. and the head of the tournament committee), Ms. Hiroko Taki (the director and trustee of the Japan Pair Go Association) and other persons concerned were introduced. Then, the commentators, 24th Honinbo Shuho (Yoshio Ishida 9dan) and Tomoko Ogawa 6dan, the commentator of the Pandanet broadcasting live on internet, Youkou Takemiya 5dan, and the recorder, Pan Kun Yu 1dan and Kaori Mukai 1dan were introduced.

Then, 4 professionals who play in the final game were welcomed to go up on the stage with big applause. They were given flowers from Ms. Hiroko Taki and again with big applause they went towards the tournament room.

Hideo Otake Honorary Gosei proclaimed, "Please start the game." Then the game started. In the commentary room, too, there was a tense atmosphere.

[ ← prev ] [ next → ]

[ top of this page ]