Japan team didn’t show good performance, because all strongest baduk master from Japan play in 1 round against weaker opponents (Takao Shinji 9p beat Yang Shihai 8p from Shanghai by 1,5 point; Cho U 9p beat Jiang Mingjiu 7p by 6,5 points). Thanks to lucky pairing to 2nd round enter also Imamura Toshiya 9p, who beat Christian Gabriel Pop 7d from Europe.
23 August, 4th World Go Oza tournament had started. Toyota-Denso Cup in some way is very fast international round, because in few days players play 4 rounds, so Oza itself can be really hard. Oza is Japanese tournament so is one of few international tournaments where you can observe many Japanese Baduk Masters playing with Korean and China Masters. This year 11 Japanese Baduk masters play in first round. This is huge number when you will compare to Korea (8 member) or China team (5 members).
EGC 2008 is the bigger baduk event in Europe. Unfortunately I couldn’t go there this year, but some my friend play in EGC 2008 :) From some years EGC first place is reserved for asian player, because European baduk masers couldn’t afford long training to stay in form :( First five place goes to Park Jong Wook 7d, Hong Seokui 7d, Lai Yucheng 7d, Kim Joonsang 7d, Hong Seulki 7d. The biggest surprise made Catalin Taranu 5p who won European championship by ending on 5th place with Hong Suelki.
