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Japan’s Yuki Kurihara competes within the Puyo Puyo last at Asian Video games on Sept. 26, 2026. Photograph by AFP |
Kurihara defeated South Korea’s Kang Dong-shin 10-2 within the puzzle recreation Puyo Puyo last on Sept. 26. After dropping the opening recreation, the fifth-grader rapidly adjusted and unleashed 11, 13 and 15-chain combos to dominate the match utterly. The victory shattered the youngest file beforehand established on the 2018 Asian Video games by Indonesian skateboarding athlete Nishiya Momiji.
A member of the Tokyo Verdy esports staff, Kurihara started taking part in Puyo Puyo in kindergarten after receiving the sport as a Christmas present. He began competing significantly within the first grade.
He boasts an 18-chain combo file in aggressive play and a 19-chain combo in solo play. His path to gold in Nagoya was dominant as he defeated a Singaporean opponent within the quarterfinals and beat a Thai athlete 10-1 within the semifinals earlier than taking Kang down within the last.
Beforehand, Japanese esports laws didn’t permit gamers underneath 13 to have skilled licenses. In February 2026, the Japan esports Union (JeSU) revised its guidelines to take away a 13-year-old age restrict, making Kurihara the primary elementary faculty pupil to carry an expert esports athlete license. Nonetheless, the laws nonetheless stipulate that gamers in junior highschool or under should obtain items or particular rewards as an alternative of cash.
Because of this, the younger champion has but to gather any match earnings.
When he received the GigaCrysta Puyo Puyo Grand Prix Closing in February, the usual championship prize of 1 million yen (US$6,371) was changed by a particular present from recreation writer Sega.
Relating to his Asian Video games victory, Nikkan Sports activities reported that JeSU at the moment has no plans to award Kurihara a financial bonus, in contrast to different Japanese sports activities federations akin to athletics, which supply a reward of 1 million yen to gold medalists.It’s unlikely JeSU will award financial bonuses to the Puyo Puyo gold-medal-winning staff. Kurihara’s membership, Tokyo Verdy, additionally has not selected his bonus.
Kurihara doesn’t appear overly involved with prize cash. The 11-year-old informed reporters that if given cash, he would wish to purchase a blue gemstone as a result of he likes shiny issues.
Outdoors of Puyo Puyo, the Tokyo boy enjoys desk tennis, soccer, gathering pure stones, and driving the Chiyoda subway line. Sooner or later, he needs to develop into a prepare driver or a trainer.
After profitable the Asian Video games gold, Kurihara mentioned he was completely happy however admitted to feeling a bit shy, which is why he didn’t present a lot emotion. When requested concerning the reward for his victory, he was really stunned and requested if he could be receiving any cash.