Era of Young Professionals Ushers in a New Wave for Korean Go
Korea Baduk Association Reaches 456 Professional Players
Since the establishment of the Korea Baduk Association, the record for the youngest professional Go player has finally been rewritten. The new record holder is Yoo Hajun 1-dan, who entered the professional stage at the age of 9 years, 6 months, and 12 days. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 9 years, 7 months, and 5 days set by Cho Hunhyun 9-dan in 1962, breaking a 63-year-old milestone and marking a historic moment in Korean Go. According to the Korea Baduk Association on December 18, Pyohyeonwoo (12) and Yoo Hajun (9) 1-dan both passed the qualification tournament at the 3rd Under-12 Go Pro Qualification Tournament, held at the Korea Baduk Association venue in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
At the 3rd Under-12 Go Pro Qualification Tournament, Pro Wonpyeong Woo (left) and Pro Hajun Yoo. Korea Baduk Association
Yoo Hajun 1-dan, who broke Cho Hunhyun 9-dan's record after 63 years, demonstrated stable performance throughout the tournament, relying on calm judgment and fearless fighting instincts despite his young age. In particular, his unwavering focus and bold decisions in critical moments led observers to comment that "he already possesses the mental strength of a professional." The 3rd Under-12 Go Pro Qualification Tournament featured 55 main and regional trainees under the age of 12, competing for just two professional spots in a double-elimination format.
Unlike single-elimination tournaments, this structure required players to maintain their concentration to the very end, demanding both physical and mental endurance from the young participants. Amid this intense competition, Yoo Hajun and Pyohyeonwoo 1-dan both secured their professional status by demonstrating unwavering play until the final moments. Both players received praise for their balanced offensive and defensive skills, raising expectations for their future development.
Immediately after earning his professional status, Yoo Hajun 1-dan said, "I was confident I would qualify after gaining an advantage in the midgame fighting of the final match," and expressed his ambition, stating, "I want to become a professional player with strong fighting skills like Shin Jinseo 9-dan." This is noteworthy as it reflects not just admiration but also a self-awareness of the active and aggressive style required in modern Go.
Pyohyeonwoo 1-dan is also recognized for his stable play and consistency. His style of maintaining his own game without significant fluctuations is expected to serve him well in the long-term competitions of the professional circuit. With the addition of these two players, the Korea Baduk Association now has a total of 456 professional players (366 men and 90 women). Most notably, the trend of younger players turning professional continues. Yoo Hajun 1-dan's record is more than a personal achievement; it demonstrates that the trainee system and early elite training programs are now bearing significant results.
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