BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 8

ARENA 01: Chii [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 02: Anya Alstreim [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 03: [Kinomoto Sakura] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 04: Shameimaru Aya [Remilia Scarlet]

ARENA 05: Shinku [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 06: [Suiseiseki] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 07: [Furude Rika] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 08: Chiba Kirino [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 09: Maria [Saber]

ARENA 10: [Nagato Yuki] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 11: [Louise Vallière] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 12: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 13: [Kawasumi Mai] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 14: Minase Nayuki [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 15: [Furukawa Nagisa] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 16: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 17: Hinamori Amu [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 18: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 19: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 20: [Ichinose Kotomi] Nagi

ARENA 21: Ryōgi Shiki [Shana]

ARENA 22: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 23: [C.C.] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 24: Alice Carroll [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 25: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Vita

ARENA 26: Sunohara Mei [Holo]

ARENA 27: Hakurei Reimu [Suigintou]

ARENA 28: Sawatari Makoto [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 29: [Fate Testarossa] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 30: Yagami Hayate [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 31: Kōzuki Kallen [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 32: [Asahina Mikuru] Kurata Sayuri

ISML 2009: Kagami, Kyou, Shana big winners on Topaz 7

ISML 2009: Kagami, Kyou, Shana big winners on Topaz 7

April 28, 2009

There are two days remaining in the Topaz phase of the 2009 International Saimoe League season.

Eight remain in the hunt.

And Kagami Hiiragi is at the front of the pack through Match Day 7.

Hiiragi climbed back to the top of the rankings with a 1426-1007 victory over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) in Tehran.

Kyou Fujibayashi's unbeaten run continued with an impressive 1297-1155 win in Katowice. Shana's consistency proved to win the day for her against Mikuru Asahina, 1490-998 in Sao Paulo.

Other big winners on Topaz 7 include Nagi Sanzen'in and Maria. Sanzen'in took down Fuuko Ibuki, 1379-1058 in Dhaka, while Maria dusted off Suiseiseki, 1304-1086 in London.

Adding to the success of Hayate the Combat Butler's representatives was Hinagiku Katsura. She slashed her way to a 1502-1000 victory over Ayu Tsukimiya in Paris.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown was all business in a 1507-700 drubbing of Akari Mizunashi in Cairo, and Haruhi Suzumiya routed Illyasviel von Einzbern, 1572-1028 in Algiers. Tomoyo Sakagami was rarely challenged by Nayuki MInase, as she submitted to the chick with the kicks 1579-701 in Jakarta.

Also still in the hunt to chase Kagami is Yuki Nagato. Her match against Evangeline McDowell was over in a hurry, with a 1704-758 pasting in Toronto.

In other results, Sakura Kinomoto stomped Remilia Scarlet 1469-872 in Tokyo, Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Hanyuu Furude 1347-935 in Mexico City, Mumbai saw Marisa Kirisame score her first-ever win in the ISML as her Master Spark destroyed Alice Carroll 1139-891, and Suigintou sliced and diced Patchouli Knowledge 1635-612 in New York City.

Rena Ryuuguu easily doubled-up Aya Shameimaru in a 1475-737 chopdown in Shanghai, Lagos saw Shinku make it 2-for-3 for the Rozen Maidens with a 1465-998 decision, Rika Furude also made it a 2-for-3 for Higurashi with a 1236-1114 win over Minori Hushieda in Los Angeles, and Reimu Hakurei delivered a 1109-1053 blow to Vita in Buenos Aires.

Tsukasa Hiiragi defeated Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1332-1070 in Seoul, Nagisa Furukawa trounced Sayuri Kurata 1350-862, Chii pummeled Nagi 1257-978 in Manila, and Nanoha Takamachi busted Mai Kawasumi 1408-1041 in Istanbul.

Mei Sunohara rolled to a 1358-908 victory over Yuuhi Katagiri in Moscow, Lima saw Ami Kawashima cream Shiki Ryogi 1247-973, Holo ate up Makoto Sawatari in battle of wolf vs. fox in Bangkok, ande Bogota saw Rin Tosaka make mincemeat out of Kirino Chiba 1664-682.

Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga's dry spell continued at the hands of Tamaki Kawazoe 1190-747 in Santiago, Kinshasa saw Misuzu Kamio outpace Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1316-941, Hayate Yagami outlasted Index L. Prohibitorum in a 1144-1074 in Milan, and Taiga Aisaka pulled off a sensational 1281-1097 victory over C.C. in Madrid.

Wrapping up the day's action, Konata Izumi made it a sweep for Lucky Star in a 1503-810 rout of Amu Hinamori in Sydney, and Santo Domingo saw Mikoto Misaka demolish Anya Alstreim 1287-927.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 7

ARENA 01: [Kinomoto Sakura] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 02: [Ichinose Kotomi] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 03: [Alice Carroll] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 04: Asahina Mikuru [Shana]

ARENA 05: Patchouli Knowledge [Suigintou]

ARENA 06: Shameimaru Aya [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 07: [Shinku] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 08: [Furude Rika] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 09: [Hakurei Reimu] Vita

ARENA 10: Louise Vallière [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 11: [Furukawa Nagisa] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 12: Sanzen'in Nagi [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 13: [Chii] Nagi

ARENA 14: [Fate Testarossa] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 15: Minase Nayuki [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 16: Tsukimiya Ayu [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 17: Kawasumi Mai [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 18: [Sunohara Mei] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 19: [Maria] Suiseiseki

ARENA 20: Ryōgi Shiki [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 21: [Hiiragi Kagami] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 22: Sawatari Makoto [Holo]

ARENA 23: Chiba Kirino [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 24: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Kawazoe Tamaki]

ARENA 25: Kōzuki Kallen [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 26: [Nagato Yuki] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 27: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 28: [Yagami Hayate] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 29: C.C. [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 30: Hinamori Amu [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 31: Anya Alstreim [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 32: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Saber

ISML 2009: Yuki Nagato in pole position on Topaz Match Day 6

ISML 2009: Yuki Nagato in pole position on Topaz Match Day 6

April 25, 2009

With the International Saimoe League Topaz Necklace phase winding down, Yuki Nagato put herself in a solid position to win her first-ever ISML necklace.

Nagato scored a huge 1641-1232 victory over Nanoha Takamachi in Madrid, to wrest the top spot away from Kagami Hiiragi. Hiiragi had no problems in her match with Rin Tosaka, scoring a 1634-1226 decision in Santo Domingo.

Other big winners include Shana, Hinagiku Katsura, and defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown, who remains undefeated heading into Topaz Match day 7.

Shana outpaced Nagisa Furukawa, 1683-1122, in Karachi. Katsura smashing Kotomi Ichinose's violin in half with a 1425-1255 win in Bangkok. Harlaown unbeaten streak continued with a 1471-1245 victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi in Katowice.

Aside from Kagami Hiiragi, Harlaown, Katsura and Shana, five others are still in the chase to at least finish unbeaten this phase.

It was another successful day for the SOS Brigade. The franchise, Haruhi Suzumiya, faced a strong test from Suigintou, but prevailed 1777-1430 in Toronto. Mikuru Asahina busted up Ami Kawashima 1548-1157 in Buenos Aires.

Kyou Fujibayashi and Tomoyo Sakagami also scored big victories. The book-hurling, basketball-shooting tsunderekko had an easy time schooling Suiseiseki, 1764-1298 in Dhaka, while the chick with the kicks blasted Nagi Sanzen'in onwards and upwards, 1634-1235 in Los Angeles.

The wild card among the unbeaten pack is Arthuria Pendragon, also known as Saber. Her 1596-1108 slashing of Hayate Yagami in Paris puts her in a spot to finish with a clean slate. The only question is whether or not it will be enough to overtake those at the top.

In other action, Nagi got on the win column with a 1273-1249 victory over Amu Hinamori in Tokyo, Mexico City saw Hanyuu Furude defeat Chii 1453-1163, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) got a big W through Shiki Ryogi in a 1574-988 rout in Mumbai, and Nayuki Minase outlasted Shiori Misaka in a battle of Kanon representatives in Sao Paulo, 1286-961.

Vita got on the win column with a 1430-895 defeat of Patchouli Knowledge in New York, Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere bounced back from her upset defeat to Minori Kushieda with a 1586-1006 drubbing of tamaki Kawazoe in Shanghai, Maria easily picked apart Anya Earlstreim 1661-1047 in Lagos, Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) got a breakthrough win against Remilia Scarlet to the tune of 1221-1183 in Seoul, and Taiga Aisaka made a meal out of Alice Carroll in Manila, 1746-870.

Sakura Kinomoto edged Rena Ryuuguu in a 1347-1324 thriller in Cairo, Mai Kawasumi was business as usual over Marisa Kirisame with a 1487-1039 win in Jakarta, Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Index L. Prohibitorum 1312-1226 in Istanbul, and Mikoto Misaka had no problems handling Aya Shameimaru, grilling the Touhou Project tengu 1416-850 in Moscow.

Holo prevailed against Rika Furude 1367-1197 in London, Konata Izumi scored an impressive 1348-1326 decision in Lima, Tehran saw Shinku salvage a win for the Rozen Maidens with a 1553-1061 drubbing of Evangeline A.K. McDowell, and Mei Sunohara got past Sayuri Kurata in Bangkok, 1357-1140.

Wrapping up the day's action, Misuzu Kamio sliced and diced Kirino Chiba in a 1430-867 roasting in Santiago, Illyasviel von Einzbern sent Berserker on a field day against Akari Mizunashi 1596-869 in Kinshasa, Yuuhi Katagiri edged Makoto Sawatari 1291-1061 in Algiers, Minori Kushieda followed up her win over Louise with a 1735-697 charring of Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Milan, and Fuuko Ibuki put the stars to Reimu Hakurei's ofuda, 1611-1040 in Sydney, confirming yet another underachieving day for Team Shanghai Alice, and founder ZUN.

ISML Commissioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 6

Had finals this week, so I couldn't vote on Topaz Match Day 5. Onward to Topaz Match Day 6

ARENA 01: Hinamori Amu [Nagi]

ARENA 02: Chii [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 03: Ryōgi Shiki [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 04: [Minase Nayuki] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 05: Patchouli Knowledge [Vita]

ARENA 06: [Louise Vallière] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 07: Anya Alstreim [Maria]

ARENA 08: Sanzen'in Nagi [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 09: [Asahina Mikuru] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 10: Kōzuki Kallen [Remilia Scarlet]

ARENA 11: Furukawa Nagisa [Shana]

ARENA 12: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Suiseiseki

ARENA 13: Alice Carroll [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 14: Kinomoto Sakura [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 15: [Kawasumi Mai] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 16: Yagami Hayate [Saber]

ARENA 17: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 18: Shameimaru Aya [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 19: [Furude Rika] Holo

ARENA 20: C.C. [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 21: [Shinku] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 22: Ichinose Kotomi [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 23: Sunohara Mei [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 24: Chiba Kirino [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 25: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 26: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Suigintou

ARENA 27: Sawatari Makoto [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 28: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 29: [Nagato Yuki] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 30: Hakurei Reimu [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 31: [Hiiragi Kagami] Tōsaka Rin

ARENA 32: [Fate Testarossa] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ISML 2009: Nagisa, Sakura, Tsukasa, Minori big winners on Topaz 5

ISML 2009: Nagisa, Sakura, Tsukasa, Minori big winners on Topaz 5

April 23, 2009

With the Topaz necklace phase drawing towards its conclusion, the 2009 International Saimoe League season saw some impressive victories far and wide.

Nagisa Furukawa faced a very stiff test against Ami Kawashima. Ultimately, she prevailed in Algiers with a 1304-1117 victory. Sakura Kinomoto, a staple of many a saimoe tournament, held her won against Mikoto Misaka with a 1226-1048 victory. Tsukasa Hiiragi delivered an impressive 1296-1157 win over Illyasviel von Einzbern in Istanbul. But the most impressive win among the marquee matchups of Topaz 5 was Minori Kushieda's 1194-1191 upset over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Moscow.

The cream of the ISML crop had no problems keeping their own clean slate. Haruhi Suzumiya kept her unbeaten streak alive for one more match day with an easy 1826-747 victory in Buenos Aires. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown was rarely tested by Tamaki Kawazoe, as she cruised to a 1414-755 laugher in Bogota. Kyou Fujibayashi continued her run with a 1649-723 annihilation of Anya Earlstreim in Bangkok. Tomoyo Sakagami dusted off Reimu Hakurei to continue her unbeaten run, 1514-843 in Toronto.

Kagami Hiiragi stayed at the top of the table in the Topaz standings. The twintailed superstar from Lucky Star sent Misuzu Kamio into the stratosphere with a 1537-926 victory in Paris.

In other action, Hanyuu Furude roughhoused Amu Hinamori, 1422-903 in Tokyo, Kotomi Ichinose violin shredded the holy garb off of Index L. Prohibitorum 1517-868 in Mexico City, Mumbai saw Rin Tosaka rout Shiki Ryogi 1598-737, Sao Paulo saw Sayuri Kurata outdo Makoto Sawatari in a battle of fellow Kanon contenders 1223-787, and Nagi Sanzen'in took down Shiori Misaka 1573-911 in New York.

Hinagiku Katsura rolled over Chii 1537-985 in Shanghai, Maria made it a sweep for the Hayate crew with a 1509-697 decision over Aya Shameimaru in Lagos, Los Angeles saw Saber slash past Ayu Tsukimiya 1475-996, Rika Furude pummeled Yuuhi Katagiri 1461-797 in Seoul, and Rena Ryuuguu made it a clean sweep for the Higurashi girls with a 1541-807 chopping of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Karachi.

Suiseiseki pulled off a close 1190-1118 victory over Hayate Yagami in Dhaka, it was a Manila Massacre for Marisa Kirisame as she got levelled by Yuki Nagato 1721-765, Suigintou took down Vita easily in Cairo 1523-798, Konata Izumi secured a successful day for Lucky Star with a 1595-811 rout of Alice Carroll, and Nayuki Minase pulled off a 1152-1049 decision over Evangeline McDowell in London.

Nanoha Takamachi escaped Shinku with a 1281-1160 victory in Lima, Taiga Aisaka roared past Mai Kawasumi 1393-973 in Santiago, Shana whipped past Mei Sunohara 1574-843 in Milan, and Fuuko Ibuki was rarely challenged by Patchouli Knowledge, ensuring another miserable day for Touhou Project in a 1529-657 bull-goring in Madrid.

Wrapping up the day's action, Holo easily ate up Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1633-605 in Sydney, Santo Domingo saw Mikuru Asahina confirm another successful outing for the SOS Brigade with a 1349-1100 victory over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness), and C.C. stomped Nagi 1493-782 in Katowice.

After five match days in the Topaz, there are eleven candidates chasing Kagami for this necklace. Only two days remain before the fate of this prize is known. Place your vote at InternationalSaimoe.com for this and all the other matches in the ISML.

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ISML Commissioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

ISML 2009: Saber, Yuki, Ami and Suigintou big winners on Topaz 4

ISML 2009: Saber, Yuki, Ami and Suigintou big winners on Topaz 4

April 21, 2009

With the 2009 International Saimoe League season past the halfway point in the Topaz necklace phase, We have a sense of who could be making a push to qualify for the Tiara phase early on. Match Day 4 was full of excitement, action, close shootouts and plenty of blowouts.

It was a battle of swordmanship versus musicianship as Kotomi Ichinose faced off against Arthuria Pendragon, better known as Saber, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Saber moved one step closer to qualifying for the postseason with a 1347-1177 victory.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Taiga Aisaka faced one of the veterans of the Saimoe circuit, Yuki Nagato. But it was the computer ace of the SOS Brigade that emerged victorious with a 1352-1143 win in the Argentinian capital.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, witnessed a treat between two new entrants to the tournament: Mei Sunohara vs. Ami Kawashima. An entertaining match saw Kawashima salavage at least one victory for the Toradora! crew, 1306-1142.

Paris was home to another barnburner, with Fuuko Ibuki facing off against Suigintou. The Rozen Maiden's number one doll is knocking on the doorstep of the top 16 with a 1470-1142 victory.

Haruhi Suzumiya destroyed Vita by the score of 1836-813 in Tokyo. Aside from Suzumiya keeping ker clean sheet, defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown faced her first stiff test of the season agaianst Minori Kushieda. Nonetheless, she kept her unbeaten streak alive with a 1378-1052 victory in Madrid. Kyou Fujibayashi was rarely challenged by Aya Shameimaru, as her clean sheet continued with a 1649-623 laugher in Santiago, Chile. Tomoyo Sakagami had no problems with Patchouli Knowledge, either. She easily ripped apart the Scarlet Library denizen, 1726-617, in Bogota, Colombia.

Kagami Hiiragi kept her spot at the top of the Topaz rankings. She scored a 1750-637 blasting of Remilia Scarlet in Sydney.

In other action, Mikoto Misaka prevailed in Mexico City with a 1327-977 decision over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld), Tsukasa Hiiragi notched a 1604-791 rout of Akari Mizunashi in New York City, and Shinku kept Marisa Kirisame winless in Shanghai, winning 1465-888.

Lagos saw a close contest between Rika Furude and Sayuri Kurata. Amid the go-slows, Furude took this one, 1200-1075. Misuzu Kamio got on the win column with a 1216-1014 victory in Los Angeles, Nagisa Furukawa got past Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1263-1116 in Seoul, Nanoha Takamachi took down Nayuki MInase 1448-913 in Karachi, and Yuuhi Katagiri pulled off an easy 1361-804 victory over Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Dhaka.

Illyasviel von Einzbern burned Tamaki Kawazoe 1393-840 in Manila, Cairo saw Suiseiseki complete a Rozen sweep with a close 1175-1167 win, Rena Ryuuguu dusted off Kirino Chiba 1442-747 in Jakarta, Hoilo had no problems devouring Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1451-961 in Istanbul, and Moscow saw Konata Izumi complete a successful outing for Lucky Star's power trio with a 1411-1070 triumph over Mai Kawasumi.

Hinagiku Katsura kept her momentum going with a 1607-702 annihilation of Amu Hinamori in London, Lima saw Alice Carroll get on the win column with a 1057-988 victory in Lima, C.C. prevented a clean sweep of the Higurashi representatives with a 1318-1073 victory in Tehran, Iran, and Sakura Kinomoto held her own against Maria with a close 1189-1181 squaker in Bangkok, Thailand.

Wrapping up today's action, Hayate Yagami outpaced Anya Earlstreim in a battle of new faces, 1196-1048 in Kinshasa, Congo DR. Toronto saw Nagi Sanzen'in cruise to an easy 1446-836 victory over Evangeline A.K. McDowell, Reimu Hakurei salvaged a win for Touhou Project with a 1100-1019 victory over Shiori Misaka in Algiers, Shana blasted Makoto Sawatari 1816-648 in Milan, and Chii defeated Index L. Prohibitorum, 1241-1077 in Katowice, Poland.

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International Saimoe League Commisioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

The Women have arrived...again. From the dead.

I will take time off from my colorful venting, and my prognostications of celluloid heroines with a little look at the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). This is a new league that just started, and I have been posting some articles on b/r talking about the adventures of the seven teams taking part in this competition.

This league was forged out of the mess that was the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), and created with a grassroots-oriented approach. Careful expansion and a more responsible take are what will drive the WPS to success. However, the big question is whether or not they can last more than three seasons. Just today I found out that the Los Angeles Avengers are no more. So with the only football teams here in LA-LA-Land being USC and UCLA, perhaps the other code of footbal might see some new converts.

Just about a few days ago, the WPS revamped their site, and the sites of all their teams. So, have a look at what this is all about.

Women's Professional Soccer
Los Angeles Sol

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Vita

ARENA 02: Kōzuki Kallen [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 03: [Asahina Mikuru] Tōsaka Rin

ARENA 04: [Ichinose Kotomi] Saber

ARENA 05: Mizunashi Akari [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 06: [Shinku] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 07: [Furude Rika] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 08: Ryōgi Shiki [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 09: [Nagato Yuki] Aisaka Taiga

ARENA 10: [Furukawa Nagisa] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 11: Minase Nayuki [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 12: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 13: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 14: Tsukimiya Ayu [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 15: Chiba Kirino [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 16: Suigintou [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 17: Louise Vallière [Holo]

ARENA 18: Kawasumi Mai [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 19: Hinamori Amu [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 20: Alice Carroll [Nagi]

ARENA 21: [C.C.] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 22: [Kinomoto Sakura] Maria

ARENA 23: Patchouli Knowledge [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 24: Shameimaru Aya [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 25: Yagami Hayate [Anya Alstreim]

ARENA 26: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 27: [Hakurei Reimu] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 28: Sawatari Makoto [Shana]

ARENA 29: [Fate Testarossa] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 30: [Hiiragi Kagami] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 31: [Sunohara Mei] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 32: [Chii] Index Prohibitorum

ISML 2009: Yuki, Hina, Nagisa, Nanoha roll on Topaz Match Day 3

ISML 2009: Yuki, Hina, Nagisa, Nanoha roll on Topaz Match Day 3

April 18, 2009

Through ten match days in the 2009 International Saimoe League season, we have seen some great battles in the Aquamarine and Topaz phases.

It may be early in the season, but it's never too early to vote on internationalsaimoe.com.

Yuki Nagato, Hinagiku Katsura, Nagisa Furukawa, and Nanoha Takamachi won crucial matches on Topaz Match Day 3.

Nagato scored a 1644-1235 upset over Konata Izumi in Tehran. Katsura delivered a 1449-1311 blow to C.C. in an entertaining clash in Jakarta. Toronto saw Furukawa defeate Rin Tosaka, 1438-1313, while Takamachi edged Nagi Sanzenin in a thriller in Buenos Aires, 1349-1335.

Defending champion Fate Teestarossa Harlaown continued her unbeaten run with a 1562-1156 victory over Horo in Istanbul. Haruhi Suzumiya kept her clean sheet with a 1852-1081 blasting of Tsukasa Hiiragi in Karachi. Mikuru Asahina made it another clean sweep for the SOS Brigade, defeating Misuzu Kamio, 1769-1002 in Shanghai.

Kagami Hiiragi salvaged a win for Lucky Star with a 1692-1162 decision over Rena Ryuuguu in New York City. Her result puts her at the top of the Topaz standings.

Kyou Fujibayashi kept her clean sheet, defeating Sakura Kinomoto, 1750-1033 in Sydney. Tomoyo Sakagami also kept her slate clean with a 1601-1253 dusting of Suigintou in Moscow.

Konjiki no Yami scored an impressive 1394-1281 win in Tokyo. Mexico City saw Illyasviel von Einzbern defeat Minori Kushieda, 1529-1260. Ayu Tsukimiya scored a 1451-1140 victory in Mumbai, while Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Kirino Chiba to the sound of 1297-864 in Sao Paolo.

Shana's resurgence continued with a 1942-1063 plastering of Rika Furude in Los Angeles. Reimu Hakurei took down Evangeline McDowell, 1241-1036 in Los Angeles. Index L. Prohibitorum edged Amu Hinamori in 1 1139-1107 barn-raiser in Seoul. Dhaka saw Nayuki Minase beat Marisa Kirisame, 1235-1053, while Fuuko Ibuki pulverized Vita 1675-924.

Saber sliced up Chii, 1700-1037 in Cairo, while Tamaki Kawazoe got on the win column against Akari Mizunashi, 1014-985 in Paris. Hayate Yagami routed Aya Shameimaru 1326-851 in London, while Mai Kawasumi dismissed Nagi in a 1515-874 laugher in Lima. Taiga Aisaka continued her impressive maiden run with a 1779-977 shredding over Shinku in Bangkok.

Remilia Scarlet posted a 1103-1003 win over Shiki Ryogi in Bogota, Ami Kawashima stomped Makoto sawatari 1475-977 in Santiago, Shiori Misaka defeated Patchouli Knowledge 1310-821 in Kinshasa, and Hanyuu Furude salvaged a win for the Higurashi representatives with a 1539-771 win over Alice Carroll in Algiers.

Wrapping up today's action, Maria ran amok over Kallen Kozuki, 1588-892 in Milan, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Vallier delivered a 1353 defeat to Yuuhi Katagiri in Madrid, Kotomi Ichinose's violin sent Suiseiseki airborne 1577-1184 in Santo Domingo, and Sayuri Kurata made turkey stuffing out of Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, 1669-738 in Katowice.

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ISML Commissioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

Quick hits, April 17, 2009

This is something I don't understand: why the fuck can't people take 1 to 2 minutes of their time for a survey that lasts only 1 to 2 minutes? This is incomprehensible. Where I work, we don't impede on their privacy, we don't steal their account...some of the people I call are paranoid, cowardly sons of bitches who are hammering my completes-per-hour.

And what was even worse today was that the supervisors from my work bothered to write me up for trying to get our project on budget. Three months of peace...ruined. They could have done better without writing my ass up, you know. Well, if my team's project goes over budget, hey, it ain't my fault...after all, you asked me to waste seconds on closing a call that has been determined.

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But seriously, to those who I called, asking for their thoughts...and REJECTED them...you are cowards. Not in the sense that you don't have any courage, but in the sense that you are so fucking paranoid from whatever shit is going in the world, that you don't even want to fucking TRY.

Cowards. You fucks know who you are. Shame on you. Die in poverty, you lot. For prisoners of paranoia you have become, and prisoners of paranoia you will die a horrible death as.

---

I'm getting a new backpack, new binders, and new ink cartridges. I've fallen out of favor with whatever I now have.

ISML 2009: Kagami takes the top spot through Topaz Match Day 2

ISML 2009: Kagami takes the top spot through Topaz Match Day 2

April 16, 2009

Kagami Hiiragi, the defending 2008 Saimoe Champion, took over top spot in the battle for the Topaz necklace through Match Day 2.

Hiiragi routed Mikoto Misaka, 1505-917 in Paris. Haruhi suzumiya, who tumbled from the top spot, remained undefeated with a 1584-1018 victory over Fuuko Ibuki in Cairo. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown's unbeaten run also continued with Yuuhi Katagiri as her next victim in a 1431-827 annihilation in Jakarta. Kyou Fujibayashi also kept her clean sheet with a 1760-693 pummeling of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in New York City.

In Tokyo, Ami Kawashima pulled off a 1261-1217 thriller of an upset over Rika Furude, while Mai Kawasumi shut out the Furude sisters with a 1211-1188 squeaker over Hanyuu in Mexico City.

Mumbai and Lagos saw Minori Kushieda and Taiga Aisaka complete a successful day for the Toradora! team, rsspectively. Kushieda sent Akari Mizunashi flying with a 1467-909 win, while Aisaka scored an impressive 1489-965 win over Nayuki Minase.

It was also a successful day for the SOS Brigade. Aside from Haruhi, Yuki Nagato took out Nagi in a 1849-698 demolition job in Sao Paolo, while Mikuru Asahina crushed remilia Scarlet, 1689-751 in Algiers.

Lucky Star also had a clean sweep. Tsukasa Hiiragi easily defeated Tamaki Kawazoe, 1468-827 in London, while Konata Izumi completed the trifecta with a 1529-1135 victory over Shinku in Buenos Aires.

Yet another beneficiary of a perfect day were the representatives from Hayate the Combat Butler. Hinagiku Katsure defeated Alice Carroll, 1531-714 in Los Angeles, Maria dusted off Kirino Chiba 1365-725 in Kinshasa and Nagi Sanzen'in shut out Marisa Kirisame , 1484-817 in Katowice.

In Shanghai, Rena Ryuuguu took down Shiki Ryogi 1395-873, Nagisa Furukawa mowed down Misuzu Kamio, 1506-814 in Seoul, Sayuri Kurata squeaked by Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1207-1188, Tomoyo Sakagami put the boots to Vita, 1583-815 in Dhaka, and Nanoha Takamachi took down Reimi Hakurei 1418-903 in Manila.

Holo scored a 1269-1136 win over Illyasviel von Einzbern-with Berserker-in Istanbul, Saber slashed apart Amu Hinamori 1677-758 in Moscow, Evangeline McDowell got on the win column with a 1106-830 decision over Patchouli Knowledge in Lima, and C.C. overwhelmed Index L. Prohibitorum, 1361-969 in Tehran.

Kotomi Ichinose and her violin sounded off Anya Earlstreim, 153-755 in bangkok, Sakura Kinomoto took down Hayate Yagami 1207-1012 in Bogota, Ayu Tsukimiya capped off a horrible day for Touhou Project with a 1354-748 decision over Aya Shameimaru in Santiago and Suigintou sliced and diced Shiori Misaka, 1450-852, in Toronto.

Wrapping up the day's action, Suiseiseki bounced Chii in a battle of former 2chan Saimoe champions to the score of 1150-1048 in Milan, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) got on the win column with a 1307-842 annihilation of Makoto Sawatari 1307-842 in Madrid, Shana gave a more-than-rude welcome to Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in a 1865-623 farce of a contest in Sydney, and Rin Tosaka pulled of a 1421-1092 doozy in Santo Domingo.

---

ISML Commissioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 3

I wasn't able to take part in voting for Match Day 2 due to presentations taking place at Keller, so I will proceed with my picks for Topaz Match Day 3.

ARENA 01: [Sunohara Mei] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 02: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 03: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 04: Chiba Kirino [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 05: [Hiiragi Kagami] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 06: [Asahina Mikuru] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 07: Furude Rika [Shana]

ARENA 08: [Hakurei Reimu] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 09: Sanzen'in Nagi [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 10: Hinamori Amu [Index Prohibitorum]

ARENA 11: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 12: [Minase Nayuki] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 13: Vita [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 14: Chii [Saber]

ARENA 15: C.C. [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 16: [Mizunashi Akari] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 17: [Fate Testarossa] Holo

ARENA 18: Suigintou [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 19: [Yagami Hayate] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 20: [Kawasumi Mai] Nagi

ARENA 21: Nagato Yuki [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 22: Shinku [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 23: Ryōgi Shiki [Remilia Scarlet]

ARENA 24: Sawatari Makoto [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 25: Patchouli Knowledge [Misaka Shiori]

ARENA 26: [Furukawa Nagisa] Tōsaka Rin

ARENA 27: Alice Carroll [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 28: Kōzuki Kallen [Maria]

ARENA 29: [Louise Vallière] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 30: Kinomoto Sakura [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 31: [Ichinose Kotomi] Suiseiseki

ARENA 32: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Kurata Sayuri]

ISML 2009: Taiga Roars, Tomoyo Soars, Yuki and Saber shores their foes on Topaz Match Day 1

ISML 2009: Taiga Roars, Tomoyo Soars, Yuki and Saber shores their foes on Topaz Match Day 1

April 14, 2009

The 2009 International Saimoe League Season turned to the second of seven necklace phases in the tournament, the Topaz phase.

Taiga Aisaka, Tomoyo Sakagami, Yuki Nagato and Saber were among those who went off to a fast start.

Aisaka began her Topaz run with a 1557-1126 victory over Nagi Sanzenin in Lagos, Nigeria. Sakagami dusted off Fuuko Ibuki in Shanghai, China to remain undefeated for the year to the tune of 1538-1078. Nagato routed Hanyuu Furude 1851-1025 in Katowice, Poland, while Saber outpaced C.C. 1557-1293 in Mumbai, India.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown continued her unbeaten run with 1564-1001 rout of Sayuri Kurata in Algiers, Algeria. Haruhi Suzumiya also kept her clean sheet with an easy 2182-644 drubbing of Tamaki Kawazoe in Bogota, Colombia. The lopsided result puts Suzumiya at the top of the leaderboard through Topaz match day 1.

Also staying undefeated throughout her run was Kyou Fujibayashi, who smashed and bashed Kirino Chiba silly, 1986-633 in New York City.

Nanoha Takamachi put the Divine Buster on Patchouli Knowledge, 1826-779 in Tokyo, Japan, Shinku outpaced Nagi 1671-1053 in Mexico City, Mexico, Index L. Prohibitorum edged Alice Carroll 1261-1120 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Kagami Hiiragi got back on track with a 1799-1010 annihilation of Maria in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Shiori Misaka got on the win column with a 1238-1178 decision in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ami Kawashima tore apart Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, who seemed to be out of place this tournament, 1857-759 in Seoul, South Korea.

Suiseiseki got past Amu Hinamori 1463-995 in Karachi, Pakistan, Hayate Yagami and Reinforce Zwei had enough against Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld)'s arsenal in a 1458-1067 victory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Rin Tosaka posted a 1809-883 laugher over Makoto Sawatari in Manila, Philippines.

Shana, who lost the Aquamarine necklace to Sakagami, took her anger out on Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, 1983-736 in Cairo, Egypt. Holo devoured Akari Mizunashi in Jakarta, Indonesia to the tune of 1680-774. Paris, France witnessed a thriller as Sakura Kinomoto edged Ayu Tsukimiya, 1317-1206.

Nayuki Minase had no hope against Konata Izumi in Istanbul, Turkey. The Legendary Girl "A" pull off a not-so-legendary 1776-973 lopsided rout. Nagisa Furukawa and her dango overwhelmed Remilia Scarlet, 1666-891 in Moscow. Kotomi Ichinose and her violin demolished Aya Shameimaru, 1744-775 in London, England. Mikoto Misaka sent lighting through Shiki Ryogi in a 1274-1046 showstopper in Lima, Peru. And Hinagiku Katsura got back on track with a 1602-999 win over Mai Kawasumi in Tehran, Iran.

Chii left Anya Alstreim in the dust with a 1441-1024 decision in Bangkok, Tsukasa Hiiragi capped off a perfect day for the Lucky Star representatives with a 1581-1155 victory over Minori Kushieda in Santiago, Chile.

In a battle between the franchise chracters of Touhour Project, Reimu Hakurei prevailed over Marisa KIrisami, 1104-816 in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Toronto, Ontario, Canada saw Illyasviel von Einzbern post a 1476-966 win over Yuuhi Katagiri. Suigintou took our Evangeline McDowell, 1611-874 in Milan, Italy. And Mikuru Asahina overcame Rena Ryuuguu, 1605-1175 in Madrid, Spain.

Wrapping up the day's action, Mei Sunohara posted a 1304-1052 win over Misuzu Kamio in Sydney, Australia, and Rika Furude edged Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

---

Kaito_Dash and minhtam1638 of the International Saimoe League contributed to this report.

BoBA ISML 2009 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 1

ARENA 01: Patchouli Knowledge [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 02: [Shinku] Nagi

ARENA 03: [C.C.] Saber

ARENA 04: Alice Carroll [Index Prohibitorum]

ARENA 05: Chiba Kirino [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 06: Ibuki Fūko [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 07: Sanzen'in Nagi [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Maria

ARENA 09: [Vita] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 10: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 11: Hinamori Amu [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 12: Kōzuki Kallen [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 13: Sawatari Makoto [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 14: Louise Vallière [Shana]

ARENA 15: Mizunashi Akari [Holo]

ARENA 16: Tsukimiya Ayu [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 17: Minase Nayuki [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 18: [Furukawa Nagisa] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 19: [Ichinose Kotomi] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 20: Ryōgi Shiki [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 21: Kawasumi Mai [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 22: [Chii] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 23: Kawazoe Tamaki [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 24: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 25: [Hakurei Reimu] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 26: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 27: [Fate Testarossa] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 28: [Suigintou] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 29: [Asahina Mikuru] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 30: [Sunohara Mei] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 31: [Furude Rika] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 32: [Nagato Yuki] Furude Hanyū

ISML 2009: Tomoyo takes the first necklace of the season


ISML 2009: Tomoyo takes the first necklace of the season

April 4, 2009

The Aquamarine stage belongs to CLANNAD's Tomoyo Sakagami.

She took the first necklace of the 2009 International Saimoe League season with a resounding 1411-1306 victory over defending Aquamarine champions Shana in Sydney, Australia.

"This is a great day for me, personally," said a delighted Sakagami before a record crowd at the Sydney Opera House. "Last season, I never won a single necklace. This year, I get one on the first try. It's a feeling of redemption.

"There is a long ways yet to go in this tournament. Fate (Testarossa Harlaown, ISML defending champion) won the tiara without winning a necklace, so nothing should be left to chance. For me and the supporters, let's celebrate this moment, and then we'll focus on the Topaz stage."

Shana was impressed, and gracious in defeat.

"Tomoyo put up a great fight. She just had a little more in the tank," she said. "I think I don't mind giving up this necklace to her. I have six other chances to grab another."

Harlaown had her own business to take care of against Hinagiku Katsura in Santiago. She got the job done with a 1256-1078 victory.

"Obviously it's a bit disappointing to go undefeated and not win a necklace," admitted Harlaown with a wry smile. "But I won last year's tournament without winning a necklace, so I can't feel too bad about it."

Kyou Fujibayashi also finished the Aquamarine stage without a defeat, beating Yuki Nagato 1266-1188 in Lima.

"Credit to Tomoyo, she wanted this one," said Fujibayashi, winner of last year's Sapphire necklace. "I do have a little bit of unfinished business to take care of with her, so things will come around."

Yet another unbeaten was Haruhi Suzumiya. She scored a 1347-1174 victory over Kagami Hiiragi in Mumbai.

"It's a drag that I couldn't stop Tomoyo from running away with it," she said. "But going through one phase without a defeat seems like a fair consolation."

"Indeed," said Kyon, to the laughter of the people in the Indian city.

Other results are as follows.

Mei Sunohara crushed Aya Shameimaru 1627-700 in Tokyo, Ayu Tsukimiya pounded Alice Carroll 1357-798 in Mexico City, Mikoto Misaka outlasted Nayuki MInase 1105-1082 in Sao Paolo, Hanyuu Furude defeated Illyasviel von Einzbern 1241-1135 in New York, Rena Ryuuguu outlasted Nagi Sanzen-in 1222-1163 in Shanghai, Nagi defeated Akari Mizunashi 1094-974 in Lagos, and Rika Furude knocked out Suiseiseki 1317-1036 in Los Angeles.

Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) handcuffed Vita 1173-924 in Buenos Aires, Saber kept Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga at the bottom of the league with a 1732-676 annihilation in Seoul, Shinku had a little extra against Maria 1230-1135 in Karachi, Dhaka saw Mai Kawasumi slash by Hayate Yagami in a 1240-973 victory, Fuuko Ibuki outpaced Ami Kawashima 1366-1090 in Manila, Anya Earlstreim scored a thrilling 1093-1086 decision over Makoto Sawatari in Cairo, Reimu Hakurei was too good for Remilia Scarlet in a predictable 1114-704 drubbing between Touhou project contestants in Jakarta, and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere escaped Index L. Prohibitorum with a 1128-1012 decision in Paris.

Mikuru Asahina made turkey stuffing out of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld with a 1689-723 laugher in IStanbul, Nanoha Takamachi silenced Holo with a 1257-1080 victory in Moscow, Syuri Kurata left Shiori Misaka in the dust with a 1056-754 decision in London, Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1036-906 in Tehran, Shiki Ryogi dusted off Kirino Chiba 982-886 in Bangkok, Bogota saw C.C. end Kotomi Ichinose's unbeaten streak with a 1260-1210 thriller, and Rin Tosaka was too good for Suigintou in a 1394-1093 victory in Kinshasa.

In a battle of newcomers, Chii breezed by Amu Hinamori 1232-764 in Toronto. Algiers saw Nagisa Furukawa's dango trump Sakura Kinomoto's clow cards in a 1395-951 decision, Konata Izumi predictably scored an easy 1462-863 win over Tsukasa Hiiragi (capping a miserable day for the twins), Minori Kushieda made a mockery of Marisa Kirisame's toothless Master Spark with a 1250-940 victory in Madrid, and to wrap it up, Santo Domingo saw Taiga Aisaka rip apart Tamaki Kawazoe 1666-647.

The next ISML necklace stage will be Topaz. Match Day 1 for that phase is scheduled for Friday, April 13 at 12:00 PM. More information can be found online at internationalsaimoe.com.

-Seishi, minhtam1638, and Juice of the ISML all contributed to this report.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 9

ARENA 01: Shameimaru Aya [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 02: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Alice Carroll

ARENA 03: Hiiragi Kagami [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 04: [Misaka Mikoto] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 05: [Furude Hanyū] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 06: Ryūgū Rena [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 07: [Nagi] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 08: Suiseiseki [Furude Rika]

ARENA 09: [Konjiki no Yami] Vita

ARENA 10: [Saber] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 11: [Maria] Shinku

ARENA 12: Yagami Hayate [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 13: Kawashima Ami [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 14: Anya Alstreim [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 15: Remilia Scarlet [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 16: Index Prohibitorum [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 17: Kōzuki Kallen [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 18: [Takamachi Nanoha] Holo

ARENA 19: [Kurata Sayuri] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 20: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Nagato Yuki

ARENA 21: [Katagiri Yūhi] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 22: [Chiba Kirino] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 23: Ichinose Kotomi [C.C.]

ARENA 24: Katsura Hinagiku [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 25: [Tōsaka Rin] Suigintou

ARENA 26: Chii [Hinamori Amu]

ARENA 27: Kinomoto Sakura [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 28: [Izumi Konata] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 29: Kirisame Marisa [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 30: Shana [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 31: [Kamio Misuzu] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 32: [Aisaka Taiga] Kawazoe Tamaki

ISML 2009: Tomoyo on pace to win first necklace with one round remaini

ISML 2009: Tomoyo on pace to win first necklace with one round remaining

April 2, 2009

Tomoyo Sakagami, for the second straight week, leads the rest of the 2009 International Saimoe League field heading into the last day of the Aquamarine phase.

She crushed Ami KAwashima, 1150-717 in Shanghai to keep her spot as the league leader. Second-place Shana made turkey stuffing out of Shiori Misaka with a 1331-534 demolition in Bogota.

Elsewhere, defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown, Kyou Fujibayashi, Haruhi Suzumiya, Kotomi Ichinose and Hinagiku Katsura remained unbeaten.

Harlaown had no problems dismissing Index L. Prohibitorum 1270-593 in Kinshasa. Fujibayashi laid the book on Shinku in a 1248-584 beatdown in Bangkok. Suzumiya was all business as she pummeled Ami Hinamori 1434-497 in New York. Ichinose and her violin had no issues against Alice Carroll, 1162-595 while Katsura faced a stiff test from Illyasviel von Einzbern but prevailed, 960-802, in a marquee matchup in Jakarta.

Other results to note:

Suiseiseki tore down Ayumu "OSaka" Kasuga, 1103-632 in Tokyo, Makoto Sawatari defeated Aya Shameimaru 869-764 in Mexico City, Mumbai saw Remilia Scarlet outwit Patchouli Knowledge 748-625 in a contest of fellow Touhou representatives, while Sakura Kinomoto outlasted Mei Sunohara, 963-878 in Sao Paolo.

Fuuko Ibuki outdueles Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness), 984-818 in Lagos, LA saw Mikuru Asahina double-up Kirino Chiba 1253-557 in Los Angeles, Suigintou sliced up Misuzu Kamio 993-763 in Buenos Aires, Saber had no issues against Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in a 1187-719 win in Seoul, and Kagami Hiiragi brushed off Shiki Ryogi in a 1291-670 laugher in Karachi.

Dhaka witnessed Hanyuu Furude tear down Akari Mizunashi 1066-602, Tsukasa Hiiragi dismissed Nagi 1250-654 in Manila, Cairo saw Holo romp to a 1005-685 win over Marisa Kirisame, and Taiga Aisaka won the series against her Toradora! crew win a 1299-493 decision in Paris.

Nagisa Furukawa destroyed Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1181-633 in Istanbul, Mai KAwasumi edged Ayu Tsukimiya 775-711 in Moscow, Yuuhi Katagiri was pasted by Nanoha Takamachi 1071-596 in London, and Yuki Nagato dismantled Hayate Yagami 1234-672 in Lima.

KOnata Izumi made a mockery of her match against Tamaki Kawazoe, winning 1242-568 in Tehran, Nagi Sanzen'in was tested by Mikoto Misaka but prevailed 854-791 in Santiago, Maria dusted off Nayuki MInase 1030-696 in Toronto, and Rin Tosaka creamed Vita, 1088-630 in Algiers.

Wrapping up the match day's action, Rena Ryuuguu chopped up Reimu Hakurei in a 970-707 win in Milan, Rika Furude made it a Higurashi sweep with a 866-688 reflection victory over Anya Earlstreim in Madrid, and Santo Domingo saw C.C. pummel Chii 1098-723.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 8

ARENA 01: [Suiseiseki] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 02: [Shameimaru Aya] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 03: [Remilia Scarlet] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 04: [Kinomoto Sakura] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 05: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 06: Kawashima Ami [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 07: Konjiki no Yami [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 08: Chiba Kirino [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 09: Kamio Misuzu [Suigintou]

ARENA 10: [Saber] Louise Vallière

ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Kagami] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 12: [Furude Hanyū] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 13: Nagi [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 14: Kirisame Marisa [Holo]

ARENA 15: [Katsura Hinagiku] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 16: [Aisaka Taiga] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 17: Kōzuki Kallen [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 18: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 19: [Takamachi Nanoha] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 20: Yagami Hayate [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 21: [Izumi Konata] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 22: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Shinku

ARENA 23: [Shana] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 24: Misaka Mikoto [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 25: Index Prohibitorum [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 26: [Maria] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 27: [Tōsaka Rin] Vita

ARENA 28: [Ryūgū Rena] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 29: Anya Alstreim [Furude Rika]

ARENA 30: [Kurata Sayuri] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 31: Chii [C.C.]

ARENA 32: [Ichinose Kotomi] Alice Carroll