Qiyou Wu has officially become our 11th certified professional player. In a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 NAGF Pro Qualification Tournament hosted at the Seattle Go Center, Wu defeated Michael Xu 5d by 5.5 points in the decisive third game of the championship match. Effective October 1, 2026, Qiyou Wu will officially hold the rank of NAGF Professional 1 Dan.
In the decisive third game of the championship match at the Seattle Go Center, Wu defeated 13-year-old Michael Xu 5d by 5.5 points. Wu demonstrated resilience, securing the title on July 6 after bouncing back from a half-point loss in the previous game. Wu attributes his success to patience, perseverance, and a genuine love for the game, noting that steady progress is possible even without traditional access to professional resources. He now looks forward to representing North America on the international stage.
The six-day event completed successfully thanks to the dedication of the Seattle Go community. We extend our gratitude to the competitors, Tournament Director Chris Kirschner, the Seattle Go Center President Bill Chiles, and all volunteers. We also sincerely thank the American Go E-Journal production team who shared this event with the wide audience.