Sudoku World Championship 2023: Tantan Dai and Team Japan Clinch Victory in Toronto
The 2023 World Sudoku Championship in Toronto witnessed exhilarating competitions, showcasing the pinnacle of sudoku-solving skills. After two intense days of battling 100 individual sudoku puzzles and nearly 50 team sudoku challenges in 15 rounds, the champions emerged, leaving an indelible mark on the sudoku world.
Tantan Dai Shines in Individual Play
Topping the ranks both before and after the individual playoff is Tantan Dai from China, marking her triumphant victory at the World Sudoku Championship. With a stellar performance, Dai secured her first World Sudoku title, building on her previous podium finishes in the last two championships. The individual leaderboard also featured Tiit Vunk from Estonia in 2nd place and Kota Morinishi from Japan claiming the 3rd spot.
Individual Results
| Rank | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAI, TANTAN | UN-UN |
| 2 | VUNK, TIIT | EST-A |
| 3 | MORINISHI, KOTA | JPN-A |
| 4 | ENDO, KEN | JPN-A |
| 5 | ZVĚŘINA, JAN | CZE-A |
| 6 | QIU, SUZHE | UN-11 |
| 7 | ONDROUŠEK, JAKUB | CZE-A |
| 8 | KWAK, SEUNGJAE | UN-5 |
| 9 | SUN, CHERAN | UN-11 |
| 10 | SUGIMOTO, TAKUYA | JPN-A |
Team Japan Continues Dominance
In the team competition, Japan showcased their prowess by securing 1st place and earning the prestigious title of the best team. This victory marked Japan's 6th triumph across 16 World Sudoku Championships, solidifying their reputation as a sudoku powerhouse. Czechia secured the 2nd position, highlighting their collective problem-solving skills, while the United States of America secured the 3rd spot.
Team Results
| Rank | Team | Official Team | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPN-A | Y | 28995 |
| 2 | CZE-A | Y | 26602 |
| UN-5 | 21219 | ||
| 3 | USA-A | Y | 20885 |
| 4 | CAN-A | Y | 19660 |
| 5 | EST-A | Y | 19381 |
| UN-11 | 19184 | ||
| 6 | SVK-A | Y | 19141 |
| UN-4 | 18246 | ||
| 7 | FRA-A | Y | 18193 |
| JPN-B | 17945 | ||
| 8 | TUR-A | Y | 17931 |
| 9 | NED-A | Y | 17460 |
| 10 | HUN-A | Y | 17259 |
Award-Winning Performances
The championship also celebrated outstanding performances in various award categories, showcasing the diverse talent within the sudoku community.
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Top Youth Solver: Suzhe Qiu from China claimed the top position in the youth category (18 and Under), with Can Erturan from Turkey securing the second position, and Tina Bratim from Croatia taking home the third spot.
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Top Senior Solver: Mark Goodliffe from the United Kingdom demonstrated that sudoku expertise knows no age boundaries, clinching the top spot in the senior category (50 and over). Philippe Meyer from France secured the second position, followed by Laura Tarchetti from Italy in the third spot.
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Top First-Time Competitor: Hannes Sidorov of Estonia made a memorable debut as the top first-time competitor, showcasing a blend of enthusiasm and skill. Tsukiko Kitagawa from Japan secured the second position, and Calum Mailer rounded out the top three, underscoring the inclusive nature of the championship.
The 2023 World Sudoku Championship in Toronto was a testament to the global passion for sudoku, where skill, strategy, and diversity converged, leaving an indelible mark on the sudoku world.
