Shinji Takao

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Shinji Takao
Full name Shinji Takao
Kanji 高尾紳路
Born (1976-10-26) October 26, 1976 (age 41)
Chiba, Japan
Residence Chiba, Japan
Teacher Hideyuki Fujisawa
Turned pro 1991
Rank 9 dan
Affiliation Nihon Ki-in; Tokyo branch
Shinji Takao
Medal record
Representing Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Asian Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2010 Guangzhou Men's Team

Shinji TakaoMeijin Honinbo(高尾紳路,Takao Shinji, born October 26, 1976) is a Japanese professional Go player.

Japanese people ethnic group native to Japan

Japanese people are a nation and an ethnic group that is native to Japan and makes up 98.5% of the total population of the country. Worldwide, approximately 129 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 125 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live outside Japan are referred to as nikkeijin(日系人), the Japanese diaspora. The term ethnic Japanese is often used to refer to Japanese people, as well as to more specific ethnic groups in some contexts, such as Yamato people and Ryukyuan people. Japanese are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world.

Contents

Biography

Shinji Takao is one of Japan's best Go players. He turned professional in 1991. He won the Honinbo tournament in 2005 by a half point in the last game. Cho U, Naoki Hane, Keigo Yamashita and Takao make up the group of players in Japan called the "Four Emperors". He was a student of Fujisawa Shuko, 9P.

Cho U is a Taiwanese professional Go player. He currently ranks 6th in the most titles won by a Japanese professional; his NEC Cup win in 2011 put him past his teacher Rin Kaiho and Norimoto Yoda. Cho is the first player in history to have held five of the top seven major titles simultaneously with Iyama Yuta being the second. Cho U, Naoki Hane, Keigo Yamashita and Shinji Takao make up the group of players in Japan called the "Four Emperors". His wife is one of Japan's best female go professionals, Izumi Kobayashi, the great Kitani's granddaughter and daughter of Kobayashi Koichi.

Naoki Hane is a professional Japanese 9 dan Go player currently affiliated with the Nihon Ki-in. He is both the son and student of Yasumasa Hane 9 dan.

Dowa Yamashita Honinbo is a professional Go player. Yamashita adopted the name Honinbo Dowa after winning his first Honinbo title in 2010.

Rivalry with Keigo Yamashita

Takao's rivalry with Keigo began in August 1986 during a televised match. The match was the final of the All-Japan Elementary School Championship, where an 8 year-old Keigo defeated a 9 year-old Shinji to capture the title. Their rivalry would continue on, striking again in 1996 when Shinji got his revenge. Shinji beat Yamashita in the Shinjin-O semi-final, going on to defeat Nakamura Shinya in the final. In 1998, this time in the final of the Shinjin-O, Yamashita beat Takao 2-1 to capture the title. Their title matches would continue to go back and forth, with Takao getting the latest strike by beating Yamashita in the challenger's final for the Judan in 2003.

The Judan (十段)—which can be translated as "10 dan"—is a Go competition in Japan. It is one of the seven major professional titles.

Titles and runners-up

Domestic
Title Wins Runners-up
Kisei 1 (2012)
Meijin 2 (2006, 2016) 4 (2007, 2010, 2015, 2017)
Honinbo 3 (2005–2007) 3 (2008, 2009, 2013)
Tengen 1 (2014) 1 (2015)
Judan 2 (2008, 2014) 2 (2003, 2009)
Agon Cup 1 (1999)
Ryusei 2 (2000, 2004)
Shinjin-O 1 (1996) 2 (1998, 2002)
NEC Cup 1 (2012) 2 (2003, 2007)
Daiwa Cup 1 (2007)
Daiwa Cup Grand Champion 2 (2010, 2011)
NEC Shun-Ei 2 (2000, 2002)
Shin-Ei 1 (2000)
Total1517


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