America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 - LA

America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 - LA

Musical prodigy Journeyy attends the America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 Red Carpet at Hotel Dena on August 27, 2024 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 - LA

America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 - LA

Musical prodigy Journeyy attends the America's Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals 3 Red Carpet at Hotel Dena on August 27, 2024 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

Fujii defends Meijin title

Fujii defends Meijin title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima after defending the most prestigious Meijin title by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.

Fujii defends Meijin title

Fujii defends Meijin title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima after defending the most prestigious Meijin title by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy LIve At L’Olympia - Paris

The Prodigy performs at L'Olympia in Paris, France on December 10, 2023. Photo by Christophe Meng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

TOKYO, Japan Kyodo - Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii, who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles. (Kyodo)

Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Eight-title-holding shogi player Sota Fujii speaks at a ceremony celebrating his recent defense of the game's most prestigious Ryuo title in Daisen in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 5, 2023.

Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Eight-title-holding shogi player Sota Fujii receives a bouquet of flowers at a ceremony celebrating his recent defense of the game's most prestigious Ryuo title in Daisen in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 5, 2023.

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (far R, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (3rd from R, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (far R, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (2nd from L, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (L, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (R, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Sumire Nakamura, a 14-year-old Japanese prodigy in the ancient board game of Go, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2023, after South Korea's Go governing body approved her application to shift her playing base to South Korea, a country that has produced many world champions. (Kyodo)

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi eight titles holder Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2023, after winning the Japan Tobacco Cup -- an annual tournament fought between 12 select pro players -- for the second consecutive year.

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi prodigy Fujii wins JT Cup

Shogi eight titles holder Sota Fujii poses at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2023, after winning the Japan Tobacco Cup -- an annual tournament fought between 12 select pro players -- for the second consecutive year.

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, after attending a ceremony to receive the Prime Minister's Award for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles.

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, after attending a ceremony to receive the Prime Minister's Award for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles.

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a certificate for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles. (Pool photo)

Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a certificate for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023. (Pool photo)

Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a plaque for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023. (Pool photo)

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Sumire Nakamura, a 14-year-old Japanese prodigy in the ancient board game of Go, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2023, after South Korea's Go governing body approved her application to shift her playing base to South Korea, a country that has produced many world champions.

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Sumire Nakamura, a 14-year-old Japanese prodigy in the ancient board game of Go, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2023, after South Korea's Go governing body approved her application to shift her playing base to South Korea, a country that has produced many world champions.

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Teen Go prodigy Nakamura to shift playing base to S. Korea

Sumire Nakamura, a 14-year-old Japanese prodigy in the ancient board game of Go, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2023, after South Korea's Go governing body approved her application to shift her playing base to South Korea, a country that has produced many world champions.

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews Game 5 of the best-of-seven Meijin series against Akira Watanabe after clinching the prestigious title at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on June 1, 2023. The 20-year-old Fujii became the second player in the board game's history to hold seven titles simultaneously after Yoshiharu Habu in 1996 and also became the youngest Meijin title holder, breaking the previous record of 21 years and two months, set by Koji Tanigawa in 1983.

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews Game 5 of the best-of-seven Meijin series against Akira Watanabe after clinching the prestigious title at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on June 1, 2023. The 20-year-old Fujii became the second player in the board game's history to hold seven titles simultaneously after Yoshiharu Habu in 1996 and also became the youngest Meijin title holder, breaking the previous record of 21 years and two months, set by Koji Tanigawa in 1983.

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews Game 5 of the best-of-seven Meijin series against Akira Watanabe after clinching the prestigious title at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on June 1, 2023. The 20-year-old Fujii became the second player in the board game's history to hold seven titles simultaneously after Yoshiharu Habu in 1996 and also became the youngest Meijin title holder, breaking the previous record of 21 years and two months, set by Koji Tanigawa in 1983.

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (R) reviews Game 5 of the best-of-seven Meijin series against Akira Watanabe after clinching the prestigious title at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on June 1, 2023. The 20-year-old Fujii became the second player in the board game's history to hold seven titles simultaneously after Yoshiharu Habu in 1996 and also became the youngest Meijin title holder, breaking the previous record of 21 years and two months, set by Koji Tanigawa in 1983.

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Fujii joins Habu as only players in shogi history with 7 titles

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (R) reviews Game 5 of the best-of-seven Meijin series against Akira Watanabe after clinching the prestigious title at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on June 1, 2023. The 20-year-old Fujii became the second player in the board game's history to hold seven titles simultaneously after Yoshiharu Habu in 1996 and also became the youngest Meijin title holder, breaking the previous record of 21 years and two months, set by Koji Tanigawa in 1983.

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 4 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese house in Iizuka in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 22, 2023. Fujii, 20, holder of six shogi titles, is one win short of claiming the series, which would make him the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title dating back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 4 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese house in Iizuka in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 22, 2023. Fujii, 20, holder of six shogi titles, is one win short of claiming the series, which would make him the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title dating back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 4 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 4 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese house in Iizuka in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 22, 2023. Fujii, 20, holder of six shogi titles, is one win short of claiming the series, which would make him the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title dating back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 2 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 2 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 28, 2023. If Fujii, 20, who won Game 1, claims the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (R) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a hotel in Tokyo on April 6, 2023. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a hotel in Tokyo on April 6, 2023. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Fujii wins Game 1 of shogi Meijin series

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against defending champion Akira Watanabe after winning Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a hotel in Tokyo on April 6, 2023. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will have seven major shogi titles and become the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title, which dates back to the early 1600s.

Shogi Meijin series begins

Shogi Meijin series begins

Defending champion Akira Watanabe faces off against shogi prodigy Sota Fujii in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a hotel in Tokyo on April 5, 2023. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will have seven major shogi titles, becoming the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title that dates back to the early 1600s.(Pool photo)

Shogi Meijin series begins

Shogi Meijin series begins

Defending champion Akira Watanabe faces off against shogi prodigy Sota Fujii in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the Meijin title at a hotel in Tokyo on April 5, 2023. If Fujii, 20, wins the series, he will have seven major shogi titles, becoming the youngest holder of the prestigious Meijin title that dates back to the early 1600s. (Pool photo)

Fujii wins 6th shogi title

Fujii wins 6th shogi title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii poses at a hotel in the Tochigi Prefecture city of Nikko, eastern Japan, on March 19, 2023, after clinching the Kio title by beating Akira Watanabe 3-1 in a best-of-five series. Fujii became only the second player in the history of the shogi board game to hold six major titles after Yoshiharu Habu.

Fujii wins 6th shogi title

Fujii wins 6th shogi title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii reviews his match against Akira Watanabe after beating the defending champion 3-1 in a best-of-five series for the Kio title at a hotel in the Tochigi Prefecture city of Nikko, eastern Japan, on March 19, 2023. Clinching the Kio, Fujii, 20, now holds six out of shogi's eight major titles, making him the second player in shogi history to do so after Yoshiharu Habu.