
The
new Japanese feminine Meijin is once again an unknown young player: the
22 year old Yuka Sakurai (pic) was the strongest of 22 participants. In
the final she was stronger than Aya Saito, who already became third
last year. Now she got one step higher on the podium. The third place
was for the world champion of 2009, Mei Urashima.

Last
year Meijin, Tanizawa Misato (pic) disappointed. She only got twelfth.
The winner did not qualify yet for the World Championship. Therefore
she has to play a game against the Japanese champion, which will be
crowned in July. Of course if she would win that championship herself,
then there will be no discussion.