High level performance by players at an advanced age is not unheard of. Fujisawa Hideyuki won the first Kisei title (1977) at age 52 and held it for six consecutive terms. His opponent in the first match was Hashimoto Utaro, who was 77! His challengers included Rin Kaiho, Otake Hideo, Ishida Yoshio, Kato Masao, all at peak level. I think Cho Hunhyun played in title matches in Korea well into his middle age.

Not sure why you are picking on Japan - it's the same everywhere.

To be sure, the trend is as you say, but I think (without checking) that you'll find Cho Chikun won several titles at age 50-51 (Judan etc). Cho Hun-hyeon won the Kiseong around age 50. These would be around ten years ago. Before that, Hashimoto won something around age 64 and Fujisawa Hideyuki at almost 70.

I think the oldest international winner may be Rin Kaiho (48, Fujitsu, 1990 or so).

Of course these players were ancient fossils, not old. If you restrict it to "old" as in uberdude's definition you get a slightly more balanced picture.

Remember uderdude and bugcat: "God is dead" - Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead." - God.

Let's have a little bit less ageism, here - especially from the teenyboppers

What were we talking about again?

On 2018-10-04 Mrs Sugiuchi became the oldest pro, male or female, to win an official game (in the Judan, against Endo Yoshifumi). To slightly misquote uderdude, she beats up young men for a living.

At 91, she is already the oldest active pro, male or female (ahead of the now retired Kubouchi Shuchi, usually given as 90 in the old-fashioned style but really 89).

The late Mr Sugicuhi was the third oldest man, behind Hashimoto Utaro, but he was the oldest in the Nihon Ki-in.

I should have called Gu Li "older" not "old" eh John?

On 2018-11-06, Mrs Sugiuchi won another game in the preliminary of Kisei tournament.

https://home.yikeweiqi.com/#/live/room/14787/1/10380508

Sugiuchi Kazuko just beat Mizokami Tomochika 9-dan in the Kisei tournament - I believe she was leading all the way - just check how she attacked - quite amazing.

https://home.yikeweiqi.com/#/live/board/14944

She won again!

Mrs Sugiuchi just keeps winning. She is now in the main stage of Japanese women's Honinbo tournament, after beating Kato Keiko today.

https://home.yikeweiqi.com/#/live/room/15529/1/11459710

Mrs Sugiuchi is 92 tomorrow (6 March 2019) and the day after that she appears in the final section of the 38th Women's Honinbo. Her opponent will be Osawa Narumi, who is less than half her age and half her rank. The game is scheduled for broadcast on Yugen no Ma.

That doesn't say much

When I really think about it, it's really crazy to be still this strong and active in competition at this age.

Owawa Narumi won the game. There is a an article with a short video from this game: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/201903 ... 71000.html

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Sorin - 361points.com

One possible rival to match Mrs Sugiuchi's competitive longevity was her younger sister Kusunoki Teruko. But she has just announced her retirement from 31 March, aged 79.

If I understand this tweet correctly, Mrs. Sugiuchi reached the landmark of 600 wins (?).
Source

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Yes, on this day (5/22) five years ago, when she was still but a young 87 year old woman.

Ooops... What did they dig that out for then..? ^^; Thanks for clarifying!

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