Zhang defeated five-time defending champion Keigo Yamashita of Japan in their fifth match, played in Shizuoka City, to win the best of seven showdown 4-1.
In capturing the coveted "Kisei" title, Cho became only the second person in history after South Korea’s Cho Chikun to have won all of Japan’s “big seven” tournaments.
The 30-year-old Zhang took home 45 million yen (US$505,125) in prize money with the victory, the largest purse in professional go play in Japan.
Zhang did not disappoint his fans by getting off to a flying start in his matchup with Yamashita, taking the first game in the series held in Taiwan by the event’s organizers–the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Nihon Ki-in Go, also known as the Japan Go Association.
After the series switched back to Japan, Zhang kept the momentum up by winning the second and third games. After dropping the fourth game due to some careless moves, he stormed back in the fifth round to seal the deal once and for all.
Although Yamashita had been the reigning Kisei title-holder for half a decade, few go fans in Japan and Taiwan were surprised by Zhang’s victory. He has dominated the sport in recent times, being crowned the top prize money winner in Japan for the last three years.
“Winning the Kisei was my biggest dream,” a visibly joyous Zhang said afterwards.
“I set the goal for myself several years ago, and I’m extremely happy that I’ve been able to attain it in such a short period of time,” he added.
Born in Taipei County, Zhang moved to Japan at the age of 14 to further his playing career. He later turned pro and won the Honinbo title, his first “big seven” victory, at 23. (SB)
(This article originally appeared in the “United Daily News” Feb. 27, 2010.)