[Japanese Side] Japan Also Buzzing... Genius Go Girl Nakamura Sumire Transfer News

Started playing Baduk at age 3... Youngest professional player
"I want to get stronger" chooses to go to Korea

Recently, a teenage Go prodigy from Japan held a press conference announcing her transfer to Korea. The news surprised many people in Korea as well.

In Japan, many people also sent their encouragement for the talented player’s move to study in Korea.

Today, we introduce the genius Go girl who stirred both countries, Nakamura Sumire.

Nakamura Sumire (left) posing after the transfer announcement press conference. (Photo by NHK)

Nakamura Sumire, born in 2009, became the youngest professional Go player in Japanese history. In Japan, major public broadcasting channels consecutively covered Sumire’s matches, and the Go association even released Sumire merchandise due to her popularity.

Sumire reportedly started playing Go at the age of three, heavily influenced by her parents. Her father is Nakamura Shinya, a professional 9-dan player, and her mother, Nakamura Miyuki, is an amateur player who also worked as a Go instructor at the Japan Go Association. Sumire entered her first amateur Go tournament just seven months after learning the game, and at the age of five, she won the Kansai Amateur Women’s Go Meijin Tournament B class. She continued to participate in national competitions, gradually making a name for herself.

In 2017, when Sumire was eight years old, she was still playing Go at the Kansai Go Association, but her parents felt that her skills were not improving. This was because there was no opponent in Japan who could challenge her.

The two decided that Sumire needed stimulation at that time. So from 2017, she started traveling between Japan and Korea every weekend to receive guidance under professional 9-dan Han Jongjin. This study abroad experience also played a part in her decision to transfer to Korea.

Sumire’s giftedness continued to attract attention, and in 2018, the Japan Go Association even created a new system called “Special Recruitment for Prodigies.” Sumire became an official professional player through this system. She continued to break records, including becoming the youngest winner in history.

Sumire playing Baduk as a child. (Photo by NHK)

During Sumire’s growth, the philosophy held by her parents also drew significant public attention. In February, before a tournament where Sumire was aiming to become the youngest titleholder, her mother Miyuki said in an interview, “I hope my daughter wins, but if she wants to become stronger, it might be better for her to lose.”

In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, her mother stated, “Sumire is far from being a genius. Building strength is much more important than the outcome of matches,” adding, “Losing is tough for her, but she thinks about what to do next and works hard. She has done so until now.”

Sumire’s father, a senior Go player, taught her, “You must believe in yourself every match. The stronger the opponent, the harder it is to believe in yourself. You must put in enough effort daily to be able to trust yourself.” Sumire’s routine?waking up at 6 a.m., playing Go all day except for meals and walks, and going to bed at 8:30 p.m.?was all shaped by her parents.

The popularity of this hardworking prodigy Sumire remains strong. Her childlike side also draws attention.

When her winning streak was broken in 2021 by Komatsu Hideki 9-dan, she was seen sniffling and shedding tears. Komatsu 9-dan is a grade above Sumire and has a grandson older than her. He even had meals with Sumire’s parents when she was still in her mother’s womb. People feel more attached to Sumire because she boldly played against someone much older and then broke down in tears after losing.

Sumire’s challenge is far from over. On the 30th of last month, she held a press conference at the Tokyo Japan Go Association and declared her transfer to Korea. The Korea Go Association approved her application for guest professional status on the 26th of last month. Now, Sumire can participate in all tournaments hosted by the Korea Go Association. She explained, “I talked with my parents, but I decided on my own. There are many strong players and many matches in Korea.”

Sumire also revealed that she likes kimchi jjigae and dakgalbi, and enjoys studying with her friends.

In Japan, reactions to the prodigy girl’s transfer included comments like, “Korea is a strong Go country, so I hope she grows in a bigger environment,” along with concerns born from affection such as, “Korea is a harsh country when it comes to failure. I’m afraid she might be forgotten if she fails,” and “Couldn’t she have studied in Japan?”

Still, since Sumire has many fans in both Korea and Japan, most people are supportive of her choice. Sumire is scheduled to start official activities in Korea from March next year.

This is also the first case of a professional Go player from Japan transferring overseas. We should pay close attention and support Sumire so that she can adapt well in Korea.