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Gangsheng Shi Wins to Join Andy Liu as First AGA Profesionals

Gangsheng Shi (far left) defeated Jianing Gan Saturday morning to become the second US-certified professional in the AGA-TYGEMGO Pro Finals that concluded today in Black Mountain, NC. Shi and Andy Liu won professional certification and $1,500 each in prize money.

“You both played beautifully and really earned this honor,” American Go Association President Allan Abramson (second from left) said at a special welcoming ceremony Saturday afternoon with tournament organizer Myungwan Kim 9P (second from right) and TD Jeff Shaevel (center). Kim outlined the rights and responsibilities of a professional go player to the newly-minted professionals as they sipped organic green tea from US-made cups. “You’re eligible to play in major Korean tournaments as well as other tournaments where US pros are invited,” Kim said. He also discussed the “high expectations” of professional go players, noting that “You are not individual go players any longer, you are now representatives of the AGA and the US go community.” The two nodded solemnly, looking a bit overwhelmed. “It sounds very exciting,” Liu said, “the KBA has been so very generous to us all.” Added Shi, “I’m very happy for the opportunity to play and I hope that our success will influence more people to play go.” TD Jeff Shaevel agreed, saying that “A lot of people, including right here at the Congress, are looking up to you now. It might seem like the same as a few days ago, but everything’s changed now.”
Here's the final set of results from the AGA-TYGEMGO Pro Finals, including all standings and prizes. For latest standings and game records, click here and scroll down to Results.

Morning games (8/4): Promotional League: 7A (Game 2): GANSHENG SHI (W, PRO), Jianing Gan (B, Seed) Exhibition League: Game 1: Curtis Tang (W), CALVIN SUN (B) Game 2: SOOIL KIM (B), Matthew Burrall (W) Game 3: YUAN ZHOU (B), Edward Kim (W) Game 4: BILL LIN (B), Andrew Lu (W) Game 5: JUSTIN TENG (W), Ned Phipps (B) 
Final standings and prizes 
Promotional League:

PROS: Andy Liu, Gansheng Shi ($1500, each) SEEDS: Jianing Gan, Eric Lui ($800 each) ALTERNATES: Jing Yang, Hugh Zhang ($400 each) Exhibition League: 1st (Final score: 6 points, $300 each) : Curtis Tang, Calvin Sun, Bill Lin 4th (4-4.5 points, $175 each): Andrew Lu, Sooil Kim, Yuan Zhou 7th (3-3.5 points): Justin Teng, Edward Kim, Matthew Burrall, Ned Phipps 11th (2 points): Ben Lockhart 

photos: top right: Shi and Liu receive pro certificates from Myungwan Kin 9P and AGA President Allan Abramson as TD Jeff Shaevel looks on (photo by Chris Garlock); middle left: Shi and Liu meet with Kim for a special welcome ceremony  (photo by Chris Garlock); bottom right: the entire AGA-TYGEMGO Pro Finals group; photo by Nik Gonzales, Second Camera, The Surrounding Game