Games. While challenging for the Meijin title, Iyama faced Cho U again, this time in the Oza challenger final. Iyama took black and lost by resignation. A month later, in October 2008, Iyama reached another challenger final. He faced Norimoto Yoda in the challenger final of the 33rd Kisei and lost by resignation. In March 2008, Iyama participated in the inaugural BC Card Cup as one of Japan's two representatives, Cho Chikun being the other. Chikun was knocked out in the first round by Paek Hongsuk, but Iyama won two games in a row against Kim Seongjae and On Sojin. Iyama came up against Cho Hanseung in the third round and was eliminated by the Korean representative. That same month Iyama participated in two unofficial tournaments, the Yugen Cup, which he won, and the RICOH Rengo Cup. Iyama and partner Xie Yimin lost to Naoki Hane and Keiko Kato in the final of the Rengo Cup. Iyama also won the Kido "Outstanding Player" award for his performances during the 2008 season. Iyama was one of four Japanese participants at the 14th LG Cup, where he won his first game against Yun Junsang and lost his second game against Lee Chang-ho. Iyama also reached the challenger final of the 34th Gosei, but eventually lost to Satoshi Yuki by 1.5 points. After losing the Meijin the previous year, Iyama won the Meijin league again in July 2009 and earned the right to challenge Cho U. He went undefeated in the league, becoming the fourth player in the modern-era to go undefeated in the Meijin league. Two months later Iyama qualified for his first Honinbo league. Iyama lost the first game of his Meijin challenge, but then went on to win four in-a-row. As a result, Iyama broke three records: youngest major title winner, youngest Meijin and youngest 9 dan, breaking records set by Cho Chikun, Rin Kaiho and his opponent in the Meijin finals, Cho U. Iyama also won the Ryusei title, televised on the date of the final Meijin match. In December 2009, Iyama participated in his first Nongshim Cup. He was the third Japanese player and lost his game to Xie He, who won five straight games before losing to Naoki Hane. Iyama led the Japanese most wins list in 2009 with a record of 43 wins and 14 losses. Iyama was also awarded the Shusai Prize for his performances