Cho Chikun
The preliminary tournament started on 17 December 2009. O Rissei, Cho U, Akiyama Jiro, Yoda Norimoto, Hane Naoki, Kono Rin, Takao Shinji, and Iyama Yuta all maintained their place in the Kisei league from the 34th Kisei, while Kiyonari Tetsuya, Ri Ishu, Cho Chikun, and Miyazawa Goro were eliminated. These players were replaced by preliminary winners Ryu Shikun, Yamashiro Hiroshi, Kato Atsushi, and O Meien.