The 44th World Amateur Go Championship (WAGC) was held on 19–22 May in Tokyo, Japan. After eight rounds of intense games, Bai Baoxiang from China emerged victorious, clinching his fifth championship. Bai has previously won the WAGC in 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2022. Korea’s Kim Jeong-Seon came in second, and Japan’s Ōzeki Minoru was third.

Bai Baoxiang (right) receiving his prize

Each of the medalists had a score of seven wins and one loss, with Bai having lost to Ōzeki, Ōzeki to Kim, and Kim to Bai. SOS was used as tiebreaker, with Bai having the highest score, followed by Kim, and then Ōzeki. Bai has a total of 37 wins and 1 loss in all the WAGC tournaments he has participated in, his game with Ōzeki being his only loss.

Reaching the top eight places of the 44th WAGC were:

1. Bai Baoxiang (China)
2. Kim Jeon-Seon (Korea)
3. Ōzeki Minoru (Japan)
4. Pongsakarn Sornarra (Thailand)
5. Lo Sheng-Chieh (Chinese Taipei)
6. Csaba Mero (Hungary)
7. Sam In-Hang (Macao, China)
8. Chan Nai-San (Chinese Hong Kong)

Additionally, Pascal Alejandro Nunez Mariot from the Dominican Republic was awarded the Asada Fighting Spirit prize for exceptional sportsmanship.

The full results and game records can be found on the tournament home page.