ISML 2009: Yuki leads Sappphire with one day to go

ISML 2009: Yuki leads Sappphire with one day to go


June 19, 2009

Yuki Nagato took the lead in the 2009 International Saimoe League Sapphire necklace phase with one match day to go.

Nagato scored a big 1461-672 victory over Ami Kawashima in Tehran to leap to the top of the table. A victory in match day 9 against Shana (who was victorious over Shinku 1536-1541 in Algiers) in Santo Domingo will all but clinch Yuki her second ISML necklace.

Or will it?

Also chasing Yuki are five other competitors, including still unbeaten Haruhi Suzumiya, who cruised to a 1894-729 clobbering of Aya Shameimaru in Tokyo. She also faces a worthy opponent in defending Kyou Fujibayashi in Buenos Aires, but their standings may not guarantee Haruhi the Sapphire nor Kyou a successful defense.

Fujibayashi kept her defense alive, defeating Hayate Yagami 1358-1045 in Toronto.

Fate Testarossa Harlaown, the defending ISML champion, also has a tough nut to crack in the chick with the kicks-Tomoyo Sakagami-in Lima. Harlaown disposed of Shiori Misaka handily, 1554-882 in nearby Sao Paulo, while Sakagami routed Illyasviel von Einzbern 1577-1016 in Milan. But even a victory for either candidate will not guarantee that they will take the necklace unless the battle between Shana and Yuki is decided.

Kagami Hiiragi may seen to have a free pass to at least getting a clean slate in Sapphire. But she takes on a fearsome opponent in Hinagiku Katsura in Santiago to wrap up her run in this phase.

Hiiragi had no issue with Index L. Prohibitorum 1721-835 in Seoul, while Katsura slashed past Shiki Ryogi in 1717-706 in Dhaka.

In other action...Suiseiseki bulldoxed Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Mexico City 1835-728, Mumbai witnessed Nagisa Furukawa bomb Nagi 1661-790, New York City saw Mikuru Asahina complete another SOS Brigade sweep with a 15221087 victory over Hanyuu Furude, Shanghai witnessed Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere defeat Evangeline McDowell 1266-1038, and Konata Izumi booted Mei Sunohara 1495-1125 in Lagos.

Saber tortured Kirino Chiba 1680-739 in Los Angeles, Nagi Sanzen'in destroyed Yuuhi Katagiri 1553-837 in Buenos Aires, Karachi saw Taiga Aisaka roar past Makoto Sawatari 1618-832, Fuuko Ibuki slammed down Akari Mizunashi 1579-864 in Manila, Sakura Kinomoto cruised pase Anya Earlstreim 1356-986 in Cairo, and Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Mikoto Misaka 1514-907 in Jakarta.

Suigintou wiped out Tamaki Kawazoe 1881-633 in Paris, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) stunned Mai Kawasumi 1359-871, Rena Ryuuguu billhooked Chii 1312-1087 in London, Lima saw nanoha Takamachi put the Starlight Breaker on hapless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1646-676, Nayuki Minase scored a thrilling 923-903 win over Sayuri Kurata in Bangkok and Rin Tosaka was all business in an easy 1730-564 beatdown in Bogota.

Misuzu Kamio scored another upset, this time over C.C. 1362-1064 in Santiago, Minori Kushieda chalked up a 1382-830 win over Patchouli Knowledge in Kinshasa, Tsukasa Hiiragi confirmed a Lucky Star sweep with a 1548-939 brush-off of Vita in Madrid, Santo Domingo saw Horo chomp up Reimu Hakurei 1623-659 in Sydney, Rika Furude took down Marisa Kirisame 1462-859 in Santo Domingo and Amu Hinamori got her first win of the season with a thrilling 1042-1004 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Katowice.

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