In the final round of the 84th Meijin Tournament Class C1 ranking held on December 3, Ryuuma Tonari, ranked 7th dan, defeated 8th dan Shigetaka Sugimoto. This victory secured Tonari a promotion to B2 class with an impressive season record of 9 wins and 1 loss. The matches took place simultaneously at Shogi Halls in Tokyo and Osaka, culminating in a fiercely competitive atmosphere. Despite various matches happening, the focus was on the limited promotion spots available, heightening the stakes for the competitors. Tonari's match against Sugimoto was intense, lasting into the night and showcasing strategic depth from both players. Having started at 10 am, the competition remained fierce until Tonari reflected on a critical moment in the game around the 84th move, where he felt the situation had become precarious. However, he managed to turn the tides in his favor and concluded the match at 11:14 pm, making his victory count towards promotion. In a post-match interview, Tonari expressed the weight of the match, emphasizing that although there was a possibility of promoting even with a loss, winning was paramount. He credited his fortune for the win and highlighted the pressure that comes with each match at this competitive level. Tonari hails from Miyazaki City and has ambitions to continue rising in the ranks of this traditional Japanese strategy game.