Sota Fujii won the Meijin title for the fourth consecutive time after defeating Tetsuro Itodani in the fourth game on Monday [1].
This victory cements Fujii's era of dominance in professional shogi, as he achieved the defense without losing a single game in the series [2]. The result reinforces his status as the premier player in the sport, maintaining a grip on one of the most prestigious titles in the game.
The deciding match concluded in 123 moves [1]. Fujii, 23, faced a challenge from Itodani, 37, who is known for his strength in fast-paced play [3]. The Meijin tournament features a two-day format with nine hours of allotted thinking time, a structure that tested whether Itodani could translate his speed into a long-form victory [3].
Fujii maintained precision throughout the middle and endgame phases. He secured the win without exhausting his allotted time, neutralizing Itodani's aggressive style [1, 2]. The final match took place at the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo [4].
Following the victory, Fujii reflected on the difficulty of the series. "While there were some hard-fought wins, I am honestly happy to have achieved the result of four consecutive titles," Fujii said [1].
The series ended with a definitive 4-0 score in favor of Fujii [2]. This marks the fourth time he has successfully defended the Meijin title [1].
“Sota Fujii won the Meijin title for the fourth consecutive time”
Fujii's 4-0 sweep of a high-ranking opponent like Itodani demonstrates a widening gap between the six-crown holder and the rest of the professional field. By winning the series without a single loss and managing his time efficiently, Fujii has proven that his strategic precision is effective across both rapid and long-form formats, making him the most formidable force in modern shogi.
