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Mexico edges out Korea in special cross-cultural tournament

Mexico edged Korea, 13-12, in the December 8 cross cultural baduk tournament "Encuentro de Baduk México-Corea 2018." The 5-round event was organized by the Korean newspaper "El Coreano." Playing for Team Mexico was its leader and current Mexican champion Abraham Florencia 5d, followed by Sebastián Ríos, Mario Mercado, Alejandro Curiel and José Chacón. Team Korea consisted of Changha Kim, Jungik Jang, Chaejoong Kook, Sungoh Kim and team leader Nicolas Kim. There were special extra matches for junior players as well: Diego Luciano and Mateo Nava played for Mexico against Chan Kong; the three of them are 12 years old and around 1-2 Dan.

Kijin Song, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico City, where the event took place, welcomed the contestants with praise for baduk – as go is called in Korea -- as a valuable cultural element. Sungmin Lim from "El Coreano" then introduced the players and explained the rules. There was a lot of excitement about the event, which Mexico finally clinched by the narrowest of margins after five rounds of intense games. The Fighting Spirit award went to Changha Kim, a korean 5-dan player who went undefeated. Trophies were awarded to all the members of the winning team on behalf of Chun Bee-ho, Korea’s Ambassador to Mexico. International observers included Philipp Neubert, from the Department of Baduk Studies at Myongji University and Alvaro Tirado from the Venezuela Go Association. All agreed the event was very well organized event and the intention is for it to be held annually and attract more players from both countries at future editions. - reported by Sid Avila