The inaugural Longhua Cup National Youth Go Open concluded on Feb. 28 at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center, with the host Shenzhen Longhua District Weiqi Association delivering a standout performance by capturing three team championships and three individual titles.

The tournament attracted 743 young players from 15 provincial-level regions across China, including 85 amateur players ranked 6-dan and above, competing in five divisions: Youth, Junior, Children A, Children B and Children C.

After three days of competition, Yang Junchong, Xiong Yicheng, Liu Haoran, Lu Junchen, and Wang Ziting won the Youth, Junior, Children A, Children B and Children C titles respectively. In the women’s divisions, Mai Kaixin, Yang Yuchen, Zhou Yirui, Wu Minxuan, and Wang Ziting claimed championships.

Young players compete in the inaugural Longhua Cup National Youth Go Open at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center on Feb. 28. Bao'an Daily

In the team competition, the Shenzhen Longhua District Weiqi Association team won the Youth division title, while Shenzhen Longhua District Weiqi Association Team 1 captured team championships in both the Children A and Children C groups, completing a three-title sweep for the host side. Their strong showing highlighted Longhua’s growing strength in youth Go development.

Organized by the Chinese Weiqi Association and hosted by the Longhua District Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau and the Longhua District Education Bureau, the event marked the first national youth Go open of the Year of the Horse.

In recent years, Longhua District has built a strong Go development system that combines elite competition with grassroots participation. The district has hosted high-level events such as the Longhua Baiju Cup Go Masters Invitational and the Longhua Cup World Go Legendary Masters Tournament, while establishing youth brands including the Luo Xihe Cup.

Through the integration of sports and education, Go has been introduced into school curricula and after-school programs across the district, alongside community outreach activities and youth training pathways, helping cultivate a vibrant Go culture in Longhua.