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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Abe siblings get 'Best Smiles' award

Japan two-time Olympic judo champion Hifumi Abe (L) and his sister, world champion Uta, pose for a photo after winning the "Best Smiles of the Year" award, sponsored by the Japan Dental Association, on Nov. 6, 2025.

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Judo: World championships

Japan's Hifumi Abe (L) is pictured after losing to Obid Dzhebov of Tajikistan in the men's 66-kilogram quarterfinals at the world judo championships in Budapest on June 14, 2025.

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Judo: World championships

Japan's Hifumi Abe reacts after losing to Obid Dzhebov of Tajikistan in the men's 66-kilogram quarterfinals at the world judo championships in Budapest on June 14, 2025.

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Judo: World championships

Japan's Hifumi Abe (blue) reacts after losing to Obid Dzhebov of Tajikistan in the men's 66-kilogram quarterfinals at the world judo championships in Budapest on June 14, 2025.

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Judo: World championships

Japan's Hifumi Abe reacts after losing to Obid Dzhebov of Tajikistan in the men's 66-kilogram quarterfinals at the world judo championships in Budapest on June 14, 2025.

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Judo: World championships

Japan's Hifumi Abe (blue) reacts after losing to Obid Dzhebov of Tajikistan in the men's 66-kilogram quarterfinals at the world judo championships in Budapest on June 14, 2025.

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Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 21 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Judoka Hifumi Abe

Paris Olympics men's judo 66-kilogram gold medalist Hifumi Abe of Japan gives an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2024.

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Judoka Hifumi Abe

Paris Olympics men's judo 66-kilogram gold medalist Hifumi Abe of Japan gives an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2024.

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Judoka Hifumi Abe

Paris Olympics men's judo 66-kilogram gold medalist Hifumi Abe of Japan gives an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2024.

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Judoka Hifumi Abe

Paris Olympics men's judo 66-kilogram gold medalist Hifumi Abe of Japan gives an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2024.

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Paris Olympics: Japan delegation

Judoka Hifumi Abe speaks during a press conference by members of Japan's Paris Olympic delegation held in Tokyo on Aug. 14, 2024, before its disbandment ceremony. Abe won the men's 66-kilogram event at the Paris Games.

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Paris Olympics: Judo

ROISSY-EN-FRANCE, France, July 24 Kyodo - Japanese Tokyo Olympic champion siblings Hifumi Abe and his younger sister Uta meet the press with Soichi Hashimoto as they arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France, near Paris, on July 23, 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics. (Kyodo)

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[Breaking News]Huge artwork of judoka Hifumi Abe in Kobe

KOBE, Japan, July 26 Kyodo - A giant artwork of Tokyo Olympic men's 66-kilogram judo champion Hifumi Abe of Japan is unveiled, painted on the facade and windows of a building at his alma mater, Shinko Gakuen High School, in the western Japan city of Kobe on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Joan-Benjamin Gaba (R) of France competes against Abe Hifumi of Japan during the mixed team final game of judo between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li An)

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France celebrates his victory against Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Judo Mixed Team Final

Joan-Benjamin Gaba (blue) of Team France and Hifumi Abe (white) of Team Japan compete in the Men -73kg during the Judo Mixed Team Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Laurent Zabulon/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Judo: Abe siblings

Japanese Tokyo Olympic and two-time reigning world champion siblings Hifumi Abe and his younger sister Uta pose for photos as they meet the press at Tokyo's Haneda airport before they depart for Paris for the Olympic Games on July 23, 2024.

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Paris Olympics: Judo

Japan's Hifumi Abe (2nd from L) poses with his gold medal after winning the men's judo 66-kilogram title at the Paris Olympics on July 28, 2024, at Champ de Mars Arena in Paris, alongside silver medalist Willian Lima (far L) of Brazil and bronze medalists Denis Vieru (far R) of Moldova, and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan.

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Paris Olympics: Judo

Japan's Hifumi Abe (2nd from L) poses with his gold medal after winning the men's judo 66-kilogram title at the Paris Olympics on July 28, 2024, at Champ de Mars Arena in Paris, alongside silver medalist Willian Lima (far L) of Brazil and bronze medalists Denis Vieru (far R) of Moldova, and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan.

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Paris Olympics: Judo

Japan's Hifumi Abe (R) poses with his gold medal after winning the men's judo 66-kilogram title at the Paris Olympics on July 28, 2024, at Champ de Mars Arena in Paris, alongside silver medalist Willian Lima of Brazil.

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Gold medalist Abe Hifumi (2nd L) of Japan, silver medalist Willian Lima (1st L) of Brazil, bronze medalists Denis Vieru (1st R) of Moldova and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan take a selfie during the awarding ceremony for judo Men's 66kg at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Gold medalist Abe Hifumi of Japan shows the medal during the awarding ceremony for judo Men's 66kg at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Gold medalist Abe Hifumi (2nd L) of Japan, silver medalist Willian Lima (1st L) of Brazil, bronze medalists Denis Vieru (1st R) of Moldova and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan pose during the awarding ceremony for judo Men's 66kg at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Gold medalist Abe Hifumi (2nd L) of Japan, silver medalist Willian Lima (1st L) of Brazil, bronze medalists Denis Vieru (1st R) of Moldova and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan attend the awarding ceremony for judo Men's 66kg at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Gold medalist Abe Hifumi (2nd L) of Japan, silver medalist Willian Lima (1st L) of Brazil, bronze medalists Denis Vieru (1st R) of Moldova and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan pose during the awarding ceremony for judo Men's 66kg at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Abe Hifumi of Japan reacts during the judo Men's 66kg final at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Abe Hifumi (L) of Japan competes with Willian Lima of Brazil during the judo Men's 66kg final at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wu Wei)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Abe Hifumi (top) of Japan competes with Willian Lima of Brazil during the judo Men's 66kg final at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li An)

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(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-JUDO

(240728) -- PARIS, July 28, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Abe Hifumi (R) of Japan hugs with his coach after the judo Men's 66kg final at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li An)