藤井七冠、永世二冠に　最年少、２２歳１カ月―将棋・王位戦

　将棋の藤井聡太王位（２２）＝竜王・名人・王座・棋王・王将・棋聖と合わせ七冠＝に渡辺明九段（４０）が挑戦する第６５期王位戦７番勝負の第５局が２７、２８日、神戸市で指され、先手の藤井七冠が９７手で勝った。藤井七冠は４勝１敗で王位戦５連覇を達成。規定により自身二つ目の永世称号となる永世王位の資格を獲得した。
　藤井七冠は７月に、史上最年少の２１歳１１カ月で永世棋聖の資格を得たばかり。２２歳１カ月での永世二冠は、羽生善治九段（５３）の２４歳９カ月を２９年ぶりに塗り替える最年少記録。ただし、永世称号を実際に名乗るのは原則引退後となる。
　藤井七冠は終局後、「結果には幸運もあった。もっと力を付けていかなくてはと感じた。（永世王位は）対局に臨む上では意識していなかったが、うれしく思っている」と語った。敗れた渡辺九段は「途中まではまずまず戦えているかなと思ったが、４局目、５局目と全然いいところがない将棋になった」と悔しさをにじませた。（2024/08/28-19:20）

Japanese shogi star Sota Fujii defended his "Oi" title for the fourth straight time on Wednesday, qualifying for "eisei" lifetime status for the title.
   Fujii, 22, who currently holds seven of the traditional Japanese board game's eight major titles, defeated challenger Akira Watanabe, 40, in a two-day match that ended Wednesday in the western city of Kobe to win the best-of-seven Oi title series 4-1.
   The eisei status for the Oi title is the second for Fujii. Last month, he became the youngest player to achieve the status, for the "Kisei" title, at the age of 21 years and 11 months. He was also the youngest to win a second eisei, at 22 years and one month.
   The eisei status is used after retirement.
   "Luck played a role in the result," Fujii said after the latest match. "I felt the need to become stronger." Referring to his second eisei status, he said, "I did not think about it when I was in the match, but I am happy."