Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) reviews his match against debutant Sota Fujii after being beaten by him in Tokyo in December 2016. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

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Similar Images & Videos
    Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

    Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

    Retiring pro shogi player Hifumi Kato waves after his retirement press conference in Tokyo in June 2017. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.
      Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

      Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

      Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato gives an interview in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.
        Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

        Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

        Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) chats with young player Sota Fujii in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.
          Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

          Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

          Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato, 84, poses in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, with a certificate given by The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.
            Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

            Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

            Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato (R), 84, receives in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, a certificate from an official of The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.
              Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

              Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

              Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato, 84, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, after receiving a certificate from The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.
                Fujii moves toward 8th title

                Fujii moves toward 8th title

                Sota Fujii (L), holder of seven of shogi's eight titles, reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima in Osaka on Aug. 4, 2023. His victory made the 21-year old eligible to face off against Takuya Nagase, holder of Oza, the only shogi title not yet in Fujii's hands, in the best-of-five series starting in late August.
                  Fujii moves toward 8th title

                  Fujii moves toward 8th title

                  Sota Fujii (R), holder of seven of shogi's eight titles, reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima in Osaka on Aug. 4, 2023. His victory made the 21-year old eligible to face off against Takuya Nagase, holder of Oza, the only shogi title not yet in Fujii's hands, in the best-of-five series starting in late August.
                    Fujii moves toward 8th title

                    Fujii moves toward 8th title

                    Sota Fujii, holder of seven of shogi's eight titles, poses after winning his match against Masayuki Toyoshima in Osaka on Aug. 4, 2023. The victory made the 21-year old eligible to face off against Takuya Nagase, holder of Oza, the only shogi title not yet in Fujii's hands, in the best-of-five series starting in late August.
                      Fujii moves toward 8th title

                      Fujii moves toward 8th title

                      Sota Fujii, holder of seven of shogi's eight titles, meets the press after winning his match against Masayuki Toyoshima in Osaka on Aug. 4, 2023. The victory made the 21-year old eligible to face off against Takuya Nagase, holder of Oza, the only shogi title not yet in Fujii's hands, in the best-of-five series starting in late August.