Firsts in title matches
Firsts in title matchesCho Chikun was the first to win concurrently the Big Three titles in Japan (Kisei, Meijin, Honinbo) in 1983. He repeated the feat in 1996.
In China, Ma Xiaochun was the first to complete a grand slam of the seven major titles, in 1991.
Rui Naiwei was the first woman to win a major open title when she defeated none other than Cho Hun-hyeon in the Kuksu final in 2000. She was also the first woman to challenge for a title, when she lost to Ch'oe Myeong-hun in the LG Refined Oils Cup earlier that year.
A record for the first father and son to win a major title was created when Hane Naoki won the Tengen title in 2001 - his father Yasumasa won the Oza in 1990.
The first women's title match held overseas was the 15th Women's Kakusei Final in 1993. It was held in Düsseldorf, Germany It was between Kobayashi Chizu and Yoshida Mika (Game 1993-09-10d). The first teenager (and also the first 1-dan) to win a women's title in Japan was Nakazawa Ayako in the 9th Women's Honinbo in 1990.
The first title match between non-native players was in Japan between Cho Chikun (Korean) and Rin Kaiho (Chinese), in the 38th Honinbo in 1983.
The first title match broadcast on the internet (on IGS) was Game 1 of the 55th Honinbo (Cho Sonjin versus O Meien) on 24 May 2000.