While we wait for the first set of results from the EX Furinkazan Member Audition (hopefully due out Tuesday/Wednesday sometime), we thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of the players participating. Today we’re going to be focusing on some of the players who received the coveted Team Recommendation (giving them +50pt to their Phase 2 score), specifically the ones that are members of the Japanese Professional Mahjong League (JPML). JPML has the most recommended players out of all the leagues at 6, all of whom are male. It’s unclear exactly how Team Recommendations come about, other than they’re discussed between EX Furinkazan and the various professional organisations.
Shibata Yoshikazu – 柴田吉和
Rank: 5th Dan
Home Prefecture: Yamagata
Years as a pro: 10 (28th JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: B1
Current JPML League: B1
Starting Points: +111.5
Twitter Followers: 1,596 (@batabata0113)
Nickname: Comeback Shibata
Titles:
- 28th Newcomer King
- 32nd 10th Dan
- 37th 10th Dan (current)
- 19th Mondo Cup Winner
Shibata is the JPML player with the highest starting points, likely due to his two 10th Dan victories, the second of which is considered current (and therefor worth double points), as the 10th Dan tournament this year is still on going.
Shibata’s comments going into the audition were: “I’m going to face forward and challenge my dreams, on this far off and elusive stage. I look forward to your support!!!”
Dump Ohashi – ダンプ大橋
Rank: 7th Dan
Home Prefecture: Kanagawa
Years as a pro: 20 (18th JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: A1
Current JPML League: A2
Starting Points: +66.0
Twitter Followers: 3,950 (@dump_ohashi)
Real Name: Ohashi Yoshihiro – 大橋良弘
Titles:
- 9th MAX Grand Prix Winner
- 34th Oui
- 18th Newcomer King
- 6th JPML WRC League Winner
Dump Ohashi has been a pro for nearly 20 years now, and has a number of titles under his belt. His Pro name came from JPML President Moriyama Shigekazu when Ohashi was about to make his debut on the Mahjong Fight Clubs games and wanted a name that would have some impact. Ohashi wasn’t thrilled with the name at the time, but it’s something that he’s quite fond of now.
Ohashi’s comments going into the audition were: “I’ll be participating! It’s been nearly 20 years since I became a pro, so I hope I am able to perform well to mark this milestone.”
Sakurai Hideki – 櫻井秀樹
Rank: 6th Dan
Home Prefecture: Yamaguchi
Years as a pro: 20 (18th JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: A2
Current JPML League: B1
Starting Points: +50.0
Twitter Followers: 2,267 (@11112233778899)
Titles:
- 31st 10th Dan
- 57th Challenge Cup Winner
Sakurai is our first JPML Pro without any bonus points from titles, although he has won some in the past. He runs a Mahjong night class aimed at university students in his free time. He is from the same pro generation as Dump Ohashi.
Sakurai’s comments going into the audition: “While I don’t have a title, I still received the Team Recommendation, so I want win and make it through!”
Nishikawa Jun – 西川淳
Rank: 7th Dan
Home Prefecture: Ehime
Years as a pro: 20 (18th JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: A1
Current JPML League: A1
Starting Points: +50.0
Twitter Followers: 2,389 (@2525jun_jun)
Titles:
- 22nd Champions League Winner
While it might seem like Nishikawa doesn’t have many titles under his belt, he has a number of 2nd-4th placements in tournaments over the years, so he’ll be one to keep an eye on. He’s from the same pro generation as Dump Ohashi and Sakurai.
Hitotsui Shinya – 一井慎也
Rank: 6th Dan
Home Prefecture: Tokyo
Years as a pro: 21 (17th JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: A2
Current JPML League: A2
Starting Points: +50.0
Twitter Followers: 1,242 (@hitotsui121)
Titles:
- None
Hitotsui is the oldest (in terms of times as a pro) player from JPML, and despite not having any titles under his belt, he has still managed to secure a Team Recommendation.
Hitotsui’s comments going into the audition: “I have a lot of thoughts and feelings going in, but for now, I’m going to focus on putting my Mahjong skills to the test.”
Furuhashi Takashi – 古橋崇志
Rank: 5th Dan
Home Prefecture: Shizuoka
Years as a pro: 17 (21st JPML Generation)
Highest JPML League: A2
Current JPML League: A2
Starting Points: +50.0
Twitter Followers: 4,936 (@furu_fururu)
Titles:
- 2016 Cyber Agent Cup Winner
- 8th Shizuoka League Winner
Furuhashi is our last JPML member who secured a Team Recommendation, and he sits in the middle of the pack in terms of time as a pro. He works a lot at the JPML Studio as a commentator and producer.
Furuhashi’s comments going into the audition: “I’ll do my absolute best to become a member of the championship winning team.”
And so there we have it, the 6 JPML members who managed to secure Team Recommendations. Are there any particular ones you’re rooting for, or want to see do well? Let us know! Also be on the look out for our coverage of the Team Recommended players from the other pro organisations!
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