Shinji Takao

Shinji Takao (高尾紳路, Takao Shinji, born October 26, 1976) is a Japanese professional Go player.

Shinji Takao
Full name	Shinji Takao
Kanji	高尾紳路
Born	(1976-10-26) October 26, 1976 Chiba, Japan
Residence	Chiba, Japan
Teacher	Hideyuki Fujisawa
Turned pro	1991
Rank	9 dan
Affiliation	Nihon Ki-in; Tokyo branch

Shinji Takao

Medal record
Representing Japan
Asian Games
	2010 Guangzhou	Men's Team

Biography

Shinji Takao is one of Japan's best Go players. He turned professional in 1991. He won the Honinbo tournament in 2005 by a half point in the last game. Cho U, Naoki Hane, Keigo Yamashita and Takao make up the group of players in Japan called the "Four Heavenly Kings". He was a student of Fujisawa Shuko, 9P.

Rivalry with Keigo Yamashita

Takao's rivalry with Keigo began in August 1986 during a televised match. The match was the final of the All-Japan Elementary School Championship, where an 8 year-old Keigo defeated a 9 year-old Shinji to capture the title. Their rivalry would continue on, striking again in 1996 when Shinji got his revenge. Shinji beat Yamashita in the Shinjin-O semi-final, going on to defeat Nakamura Shinya in the final. In 1998, this time in the final of the Shinjin-O, Yamashita beat Takao 2-1 to capture the title. Their title matches would continue to go back and forth, with Takao getting the latest strike by beating Yamashita in the challenger's final for the Judan in 2003.

Titles and runners-up

Domestic
Title	Wins	Runners-up
Kisei		1 (2012)
Meijin	2 (2006, 2016)	4 (2007, 2010, 2015, 2017)
Honinbo	3 (2005–2007)	3 (2008, 2009, 2013)
Tengen	1 (2014)	1 (2015)
Judan	2 (2008, 2014)	2 (2003, 2009)
Agon Cup		2 (1999, 2017)
Ryusei	2 (2000, 2004)
Shinjin-O	1 (1996)	2 (1998, 2002)
NEC Cup	1 (2012)	2 (2003, 2007)
Daiwa Cup	1 (2007)
Daiwa Cup Grand Champion	2 (2010, 2011)
NEC Shun-Ei	2 (2000, 2002)
Shin-Ei		1 (2000)
Total	15	18

External links

• GoGameWorld Player Info for Takao Shinji
• Player info for Takao Shinji at Nihonki-in (in Japanese)