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SEOUL — A historic milestone in Korean Baduk (Go) has been reached as a nine-year-old prodigy shattered a record held for over six decades by one of the game's greatest legends.

On December 18, the Korea Baduk Association announced that Yu Ha-jun (9) and Pyo Hyun-woo (12) successfully passed the final round of the 3rd Under-12 Professional Induction Tournament held at the association’s headquarters in Seongdong District, Seoul.

Breaking a Legendary Record

The spotlight fell primarily on Yu Ha-jun, born in June 2016. At the age of 9 years, 6 months, and 12 days, Yu officially became the youngest professional Baduk player in the history of the Korea Baduk Association.

This achievement surpasses the long-standing record held by the legendary Cho Hun-hyun 9-dan, who turned professional in 1962 at the age of 9 years, 7 months, and 5 days. Yu’s feat marks the first time this record has been broken in 63 years, signaling a potential generational shift in the competitive landscape of the game.

The Road to the Professional Rank

The tournament, which began on December 6, saw a fierce competition among 55 elite youth players born after 2013, including both Seoul-based and regional trainees. Only two slots were available for the professional rank.

Yu, known for his aggressive and calculated style, secured his spot after a decisive victory in the final match. "I felt confident about my induction after gaining the upper hand during a 'Ko' fight in the mid-game," Yu stated. "I am honored to break the record and aspire to become a player with powerful fighting skills like Shin Jin-seo 9-dan."

Future Stars of Korean Baduk

The other successful candidate, 12-year-old Pyo Hyun-woo, also expressed ambitious goals. Pyo, who looks up to world-class players Shin Jin-seo and Park Jung-hwan, stated his desire to represent Korea in the Nongshim Shinramyun Cup and achieve a historic 10-game winning streak.

Industry experts believe Yu Ha-jun’s early entry into the professional ranks mirrors the trajectory of modern "super-prodigies" who benefit from AI-assisted training. As Yu begins his professional career, the Baduk community is eager to see if he will follow in the footsteps of Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Sedol to lead the next era of Korean dominance on the world stage.

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