Takao Mari - Team Nagoya 25-26

Team Nagoya's last player is 24 year old Takao Mari (高雄 茉莉). Born 10th May 2001 in Aichi she became Professional in 2019 at 18.

Her play style is very aligned with traditional Japanese styles of balance and elegance and she has shown a preference for traditional Fuseki avoiding many of the new AI wave forms. She has performed relatively well competitively and is capable of beating the best but also has shown that she can be overwhelmed by fighting pressure from some of the elite fighters out there.

Last year she had 1 win and 5 losses.

ELO wise she is currently at 2895 with a world ranking of #691

This is also an interesting chart showing success at increasing the initial rating for 3 or so years before a sharp drop post covid and a more recent re-increase.

I do wonder if she is another hidden potential type player. She has shown herself capable of beating the best and that in itself is a sign of strength in one so young.

She has not been in any finals of the tourneys we are tracking but has got to the top of the challenger rounds which in itself, again, shows potential.

Here is her X fluff piece where she notes her favourite possession is a JuJustsu Kaisen figurine.