11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship U-22: South Korea’s Kim Seung Gu 4-dan Claims Victory

TOKYO (July 21, 2026)—The semifinals and finals of the 11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship U-22 were held at the Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Head Office on June 28. Organized by the Nihon Ki-in and sponsored by GLOBIS Corporation, the international tournament ran from June 26 to June 28, 2026, bringing together 16 players under the age of 22 from around the world.

South Korean players dominated the top three spots, with Kim Seung Gu 4-dan (the 4th professional dan rank) taking first place, Kwon Hyo Jin 7-dan finishing as the runner-up, and Kim Seung Jin 7-dan placing third. Yuki Sakai 7-dan, the only Japanese player to advance to the semifinals, lost to South Korea’s Kwon Hyo Jin 7-dan. Sakai then faced Kim Seung Jin 7-dan in the third-place playoff, finishing the tournament in fourth place.

The GLOBIS Cup was established in 2014 as an international competition for young Go players, making it the only mixed-gender world Go tournament held in Japan. To date, the tournament has produced numerous players who are active at the top global level, including inaugural champion Ryo Ichiriki, who later won the prestigious Ing Cup World Professional Go Championship, and Asami Ueno, a former champion of the SENKO Cup World Go Women’s Championship.

The GLOBIS Cup was temporarily suspended between 2020 and 2023 due to the impact of COVID-19. The 10th edition of the tournament was held in 2023. Following a three year hiatus, the 11th edition of the GLOBIS Cup was restarted this year with a focus on players aged 22 and younger.

GLOBIS’s sponsorship of this tournament is part of its efforts to support opportunities for young talent to challenge the world and improve themselves through friendly rivalry. Through the intellectual game of Go, it aims to contribute to creating a space for cross-border exchange and growth.

Event Outline

• Tournament Name: 11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship 2026
• Organizer: The Nihon Ki-in
• Sponsor: GLOBIS Corporation
• Dates: June 26 (Fri) – June 28 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: The Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Branch, 6F

Eligibility and Number of Participants

• Tournament Eligibility: Professional or amateur players under the age of 22 as of January 1, 2026.
• Number of Tournament Participants: 16 players
  • Japan: 6 players (including qualifier winners)
  • South Korea: 5 players
  • Taiwan: 2 player
  • Europe: 1 player
  • North America: 1 player
  • Asia/Oceania: 1 player
• Note: The selection of overseas players is entrusted to the representative organizations of each country/region.

Match Rules

• Japanese rules, alternating games, 6.5 compensation points. 
• Sudden death; players have 30 seconds per move with ten 1-minute thinking periods (NHK Cup format). 
• The tournament features a group stage (double-elimination format) in groups of 4, where 2 winning players advance. The final round (8 players) is held in a knockout format.

About GLOBIS

Since its foundation in 1992, GLOBIS has fostered a vision to create and innovate societies through management ecosystems of people, capital, and knowledge. Today, the company is involved in a range of activities, from higher education and corporate training to venture capital. GLOBIS also operates the G1 Institute and the KIBOW Foundation, both non-profit organizations to promote creativity and innovation in society. The GLOBIS MBA and corporate training programs are offered both online and in person across Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, the USA, Belgium, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Oman, and India. GLOBIS University is one of Asia’s largest graduate business schools and aims to become the world’s No. 1 MBA in the Technovate Era.

GLOBIS Group

• GLOBIS Corporation
• Graduate School of Management, GLOBIS University
• GLOBIS Capital Partners & Co.
• GLOBIS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
• GLOBIS Asia Campus Pte. Ltd.
• GLOBIS China Co., Ltd.
• GLOBIS Europe BV
• GLOBIS India Private Limited
• PT. GLOBIS Indonesia Hub
• GLOBIS Manila Inc.
• GLOBIS Middle East (Commercial Representative Office)
• GLOBIS Taiwan Co., Ltd.
• GLOBIS Thailand Co., Ltd.
• GLOBIS USA, Inc.

Other Activities

• G1 Institute
• KIBOW Foundation
• Ibaraki Robots Sports Entertainment
• LuckyFM Ibaraki Broadcasting System

Contact

GLOBIS Corporate Communications
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