Chan’s victory was Taiwan’s first at the annual tournament and the first time since 1986 a player from outside Japan, South Korea or mainland China won the event.
“It is a dream come true. I finally accomplished the mission started by those Go legends who came before me,” Chan said after taking the title by winning seven of the eight rounds of games.
An economics major at National Chung Hsing University, Chan’s victory over main rival Wei Tae-woong from South Korea in the third round was key to his victory. The result sees him advance to eighth in Go rankings, the highest level an amateur player can achieve.
The championship kicked off 35 years ago in Japan. Former stars from Taiwan, including 2007 LG Cup champion Chou Chun-hsun, finished runners-up four times. (YHC-JSM)
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