TERRIFIC TAMENORI WINS WORLDS (AGAIN)

Japanese Othello legend Hideshi Tamenori beat South Korea's Kwang Wook Lee 33-31, 36-28 to claim his sixth title to add to those he won in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1995 and also complete a Japanese clean sweep of all titles. What appeared to be most people's idea of the final (Tamenori vs defending champion Ben Seeley) took place in the second round and it was Tamenori emerged victorious (40-24) to become favourite. However Tamenori rode his luck at times during the first two days of competition but came through with flying colours with a perfect 13/13. The only other player to achieve this was David Shaman back in 1991 and he came undone by a Frenchman in the semis. History very much looked like repeating itself when 2002 WOC semi-finalist Takuji Kashiwabara took advantage of poor Tamenori moves 48g2 (correct move was g8 - a 39-25 win) and 50f8 (correct move was 50a6 - a draw) to take the game 34-30. Kashiwabara at move 44 in the third game was on the verge of winning the tie. But he played D2 (-6) instead of F1 (+4). With play being perfect from then on and it was Tamenori's place in the final. The other semi-final saw Wook Lee beat Tamenori's compatriot Tamaki Miyaoka 43-21 16-48 39-25. In the 3rd/4th play-off Kashiwabara beat Miyaoka 33-31. The women's championship was won by Japan's Hisako Hoshi, who beat compatriot Mami Yamanaka 47-17.