ISML 2009: Seven remain in the hunt as Tomoyo takes Aquamarine lead

ISML 2009: Seven remain in the hunt as Tomoyo takes Aquamarine lead

March 31, 2009

With two rounds to go in the Aquamarine necklace phase, the race is heating up between seven contestants still in the hunt. Shana, however, lost the lead to CLANNAD's Tomoyo Sakagami.

Sakagami sent Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) flying in a 1534-845 romp in Santo Domingo. Shana, meanwhile, had no troubles in a 1678-740 thumping of Evangeline A.K. McDowell in Shanghai.

Elsewhere, Haruhi Suzumiya, Kotomi Ichinose, defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown, and Kyou Fujibayashi remained in contention.

Fujibayashi scored an easy 1680-666 decision over Nayuki Minase in Tokyo, while Suzumiya was tested by Shiki Ryogi, but prevailed 1578-1025 in Toronto. Ichinose and her violin sent Mai Kawasumi into a daze, winning 1336-837 in Bangkok, while Harlaown prevailed in a thriller over Saber in one of the day's marquee matches, 1285-1191 in New York.

Outside of those in the hunt, there were, as always, results worth noting.

In Mexico City, Konata Izumi defeated Minori Kushieda, 1485-1057, while Shinku edged Hayate Yagami, 1239-1101 in Mumbai. Sao Paolo saw Suiseiseki prevail over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1364-1106, while Ami Kawashima was all business against Shiori Misaka, winning 1394-927 in Lagos.

In Los Angeles, Nanoha Takamachi beat Sayuri Kurata 1315-964, Misuzu Kamio outlasted Vita 1180-1029 in Buenos Aires, Taiga Aisaka dismissed Holo 1418-1070 in Seoul, and Hinagiku Katsura doubled-up Akari Mizunashi, 1496-735 in Karachi.

Yuuhi Katagiri narrowly beat Marisa Kirisame 1042-993 in Dhaka, Manila saw Suigintou rout Remilia Scarlet 1572-694, Amu Hinamori was no match for C.C. as she got thumped 1485-774 in Cairo, Rika Furude made a mockery of her match against Aya Shameimaru, killing her 1494-667 in Jakarta, and Yuki Nagato defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1439-1136 in Paris.

Istanbul was full of Turkish Delights shaped like Dango as Nagisa Furukawa creamed Kirino Chiba 1506-715. Nagi outpaced Tamaki Kawazoe 1108-900 in Moscow, Chii was all business against Alice Carroll in a 1195-881 win in London, Anya Earlsteil left Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in the dust in a 1242-835 win in Lima, and Tsukasa Hiiragi outpaced Hanyuu Furude, winning 1273-1135 in Tehran.

In a battle between fellow Hayate the Combat Butler contestants, Nagi Sanzen'in got the best of Maria, winning 1155-877 in Bogota. Mikoto Misaka jolted Reimu Hakurei in a 1167-942 victory in Santiago, Kagami Hiiragi escaped Mikuru Asahina 1364-1275 in Kinshasa, and Sakura Kinomoto scored a 1184-884 victory over Makoto Sawatari in Algiers.

Rouinding it up, Mei Sunohara took home a 1398-878 thumping over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Milan, Madrid saw Illyasviel von Einzbern defeat Index L. Prohibitorum 1251-949 in Madrid (albeit she had a handicap with Berserker), Rena Ryuuguu had no trouble chopping Patchouli Knowledge up, 1440-661 in Sydney, and Rin Tosaka dusted off Fuuko Ibuki, 1310-1177 in Katowice.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 7

ARENA 01: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 02: [Izumi Konata] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 03: Yagami Hayate [Shinku]

ARENA 04: [Suiseiseki] Louise Vallière

ARENA 05: Saber [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 06: [Shana] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 07: [Kawashima Ami] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 08: Kurata Sayuri [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 09: [Kamio Misuzu] Vita

ARENA 10: [Aisaka Taiga] Holo

ARENA 11: [Katsura Hinagiku] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 12: Kirisame Marisa [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 13: Remilia Scarlet [Suigintou]

ARENA 14: Hinamori Amu [C.C.]

ARENA 15: Shameimaru Aya [Furude Rika]

ARENA 16: Tsukimiya Ayu [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 17: Chiba Kirino [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 18: Nagi [Kawazoe Tamaki]

ARENA 19: [Chii] Alice Carroll

ARENA 20: [Anya Alstreim] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 21: Furude Hanyū [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 22: [Ichinose Kotomi] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 23: Maria [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 24: Misaka Mikoto [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 25: [Hiiragi Kagami] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 26: Ryōgi Shiki [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 27: [Kinomoto Sakura] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 28: Kōzuki Kallen [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 29: Index Prohibitorum [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 30: [Ryūgū Rena] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 31: Konjiki no Yami [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 32: Tōsaka Rin [Ibuki Fūko]

LA 2, Washington 0: Play By Play (from the BoBA Perspective)

90 Minutes to Kickoff – Fans begin to line up and purchase their tickets. This is going to be exciting. The electric billboards surrounding the pitch on the sidelines say: “Go Sol Go.” Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Wanna Be” plays. The turnout, I think, may be least half-capacity. That’s my personal expectation.

T-83 minutes – A single bass drum can be seen in the Angel City Brigade section. Later on, the drum-and the banner- would be moved to section 121.

T-81 minutes – The first practice apparati are placed. The fans begin to arrive and take their seats.

T-75 minutes – A slight break in the clouds.

T-72 minutes – Some photographer from a Japanese news site greets me in my press box downstairs. I would later be joined by another writer from another Japanese site, as well as Joe Nixon, another contributor to b/r, and one of his friends who attends my alma mater, the Beach.

T-71 minutes – hint. That is the name of this new energy drink (actually, I found out it’s water that has no sugar, but some fruit flavor) that they are sponsoring. Wonder if anyone on b/r has tried this. I know the people in my press box-and myself- would try it out inside my box.

T-67 minutes – I notice section 119: “Marta’s Maniacs in the Amway Corner.” Clearly the people in that part of the stadium will go wild when she takes the field, let alone score (She would have an assist instead, and sign some autographs later). For more info on my memo, check it out here.

T-60 minutes – One hour to kick-off. The sprinklers are on, for some reason known only to the grounds crew. Maybe this is to make the pitch lusher, more pleasing to the players…who knows?

T-55 minutes – More fans come in, banging their Amway Thunderstix.

T-50 minutes – The fans who came out early see the Freedom take the field for their preliminaries. They will don all red for this contest.

T-48 minutes – Sol keepers enter their field for their preliminaries.

T-47 minutes – The rest of the Sol players take the field for the first time. I head down to take some shots of the teams going through their warm-ups.

T-33 minutes – After returning to my box, I watch some highlights of WPS players on international duty. Poor Matildas…

T-30 minutes – A lady from NHK japan asks me for assistance regarding press access. In spite of my bout with laryngitis (which explains why my behavior in the box was, surprisingly, typical of those in the press boxes), I show her where to go to enter the field, as well as referred her to people upstairs regarding some instances where my knowledge may not be strong enough.

T-28 minutes – Sepp Blatter send his well wishes.

T-24 minutes – Found out what hint was all about.

T-20 minutes – The Sol complete their warm-ups after practicing ball handling in the new Puma green and whites commissioned by the league.

T-18 minutes – The Freedom complete their warm-ups as well.

T-17 minutes – The dignitaries arrive, including Mia Hamm. Photo op.

T-15 minutes – The flags of Sweden, Japan, Brazil, USA, Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, China, and Australia (what? No Ireland?) grace the midfield circle. They used that movie theme that I do not know the movie, but it’s too effing familiar.

T-11 minutes - WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci addresses the crowd.

T-10 minutes – A coach from a Cypress AYSO girls team talks about her team’s 2nd place run at the state championships. Also, a family who won a promotion from Amway Global speaks.

T-4 minutes – The players enter…to U2 and Eagle Eye Cherry!? Word to the WPS, we have a piece of music called the FIFA Anthem…

T-1 minutes – A quintet called the Beach Girl five performs the Star-Spangled Banner.

Kick-off 3:11 p.m. PST

1’ – And the history of the WPS begins! Marta trying to control the ball early. Goal kick to Washington’s Brianna Scurry.

3’ – Both sides trying to feel each other out. Aya Miyama should have done better, but snuffed out. The Angel City Brigade gets to work.

4’ – Washington trying to stake their claim early with a shot from Homare Sawa, but high.

5’ – A nice tackle by Manya Makoski

6’ – GOAL! The first goal in WPS history scored by Allison Falk! It was off a set piece by Miyama. Poorly handled by Scurry. The crowd goes wild, and Jim Gabarra’s Freedom are on the defensive.

8’ – Marta trying a shot after some juking, but wide. Sawa asks her ladies to remain composed for the remainder of the match, but Washington’s passed are swallowed up by LA’s back line.

11’ – Already the Mexican Wave, initiated by the ACB, rolls around the HDC. First corner in the WPS to the Sol. Marta is getting a number of touches this match.

12’ – Things getting a bit chippy. Referee Kari Seitz wants some order. She wouldn’t have to deal with booking anyone today.

13’ – A free kick by Miyama saved by Scurry. She still has good hands after all these years.

14’ – Too high a shot by Marta; apparently the crowd may be asking a bit too much? Control will come in time.

16’ – By now the fans can see that the longer the team is together, the better they will gel, and the passing will be a bit more fluid. The long passes aren’t on the dot, as they saw.

17’ – The ACB seems to be successful in waking up the Thunderstix. Even with a one-goal lead, the passing will need to be addressed by Abner Rogers.

19’ – Miyama almost made it 2-0, but again, Scurry is there for the save.

21’ – Apparently the Sol announcer, David Courtney, wasn’t given a pronunciation guide for some of the names. For example, it’s “AH-yuh,” not “EY-yuh.”

22’- Scurry is getting her work cut out for her.

23’ – Karina LeBlanc with a heads-up kick save. The first big defensive stop for the Sol. Up until then, LeBlanc didn’t need to do much.

26’ – Crenshaw High’s marching band, in a nod to the Seattle Sounders FC (who are still undefeated as of this post [can they become the next Chicago Fire and pull off the whole enchilada in their first season? Stay tuned from Qwest…]), play, along with the drumline. Sound Wave they aren’t, but at least they were close.

27’ – Becky Sauerbrunn of the Freedom has a daunting task of marking Marta…

29’ – LeBlanc bails out the Sol on what was a botched defensive play.

31’ – Camille Abily and Aya Miyama weren’t in sync on that counter-attack.

32’ – Sharp tackle by the Sol. Set piece by Washington goes wide.

33’ – Washington needs to do whatever it can on the free kicks, but they are not dialing in.

35’ – Miyama not connecting on the passes again. The midfielders in red are delivering textbook marking.

37’ – No one receiving Marta’s crosses. While Rogers will be pleased with the lead going into half, more goals could have come, but bad finishing and alert keeping from Scurry and LeBlanc have made them harder to come by.

39’ – Washington doing what they can to gain possession, Miyama helping Leblanc clear the danger defensively.

40’ – Offiside. First offside in WPS history.

42’ – Have mercy, Miss Percy (to quote a lyric from ZZ Top’s prose piece “Manic Mechanic”), what what Makoski doing? Open net, squandered chance.

43’ – Lisa de Vanna comes in for Claire Zimmeck.

44’ – Another save from Scurry. 1 minute stoppage time, says Seitz.

HALFTIME – LOS ANGELES SOL 1 – 0 WASHINGTON FREEDOM (LA: Falk 6’)

So, I head back upstairs, wondering if there are any munchies. As I was about to go to the concessions, a guy in a suit, with escorts, brings some kettle-cooked crisps, peanuts, and cashews. I tried some of the hint. A bit bland. No sugar or Splenda-like material. Will this sell?

And there is a product called Not a hint. Not a hint is water without the fruit-scented “hint”: it’s just premium bottle water. I’ll take my Kirkland Signature any old day, thank you very much!

Tell you what: as a matter of fact, how about I go draconian and choose tap! Thanks for the samples, though.

46’ – Katie Larkin goes in for Kendall Fletcher to begin the 2nd half (start: 4:15 p.m.)

48’ – The Freedom look to equalize and set the pace. A shot on the rebound from LeBlanc goes into the stands.

49’ – Set piece taken short for LA. Communication a work in progress again.

51’ – The objective for Washington is to find some opening. They almost hand one, but De Vanna wasted it, going wide.

55’ – Another shot going high for De Vanna. It’s not been her day today.

57’ – Han Duan will want that one back. Plenty of space, too much time to think.

58’ – A good kick save from LeBlanc.

59’ – An important corner for the Freedom…cleared. The Sol standing tall on defense.

61’ – Impressive marking.

63’ – What an opportunity to tie the match! Shot by Lori Lindsey goes off the post.

64’ – And LeBlanc is there again.

65’ – Miyama’s shot would have split the uprights in the American code. Tackling now getting a bit more physical.

68’ – A low volley by Marta is blocked. Washington, showing a sense of urgency now.

71’ – Offside for LA. The floodgates were about to open there.

72’ – Jill Gilbeau goes in for Lori Lindsey.

Rogers is pressing the forwards to press for a second.

73’ – Yet another impressible clearance for Scurry. Only meters from the line. This may be the Inagural Game, but it is the Brianna Scurry show, save for the howler to Falk in minute 6.

75’ – LeBlanc keeps the goalkeeping showcase going. The Angel City Brigade chants “Seven Nation Army.”

76’ – One-time from Abby just missed.

79’ – Header by captain Abby Wambach went awry. Her speed is a bit slower compared to years gone by. The pitfalls of age. Wiser in mind, slower in body. Something like that.

80’ – Scurry hasn’t missed a beat in making saves. What a punchout.

83’ – Defense is going to assure the Sol a shutout during this stretch.

84’ – Christie Welsh comes in for Han Duan.

86’ – Time is not on the Freedom’s side…

87’ – GOAL! Nor was that. After not clicking in the 31st from Miyama, Abily gets a pass from Marta and flicks a looping release past Scurry. Lyon was happy to have her services, and it looks like Los Angeles is set to enjoy them as well. That is the nail in the coffin, it seems.

90’ – 2 minutes of stoppage time added.

FULL TIME

LOS ANGELES SOL 2
6’ Falk
87’ Abily

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 0

LA 2, Washington 0: Sol shine in WPS Inaugural Game

LA 2, Washington 0: Sol shine in WPS Inaugural Game

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
March 29, 2009

A week after the Los Angeles Galaxy opened their 14th season as a founding member of Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Sol began their first season as a founding member of Women’s Professional Soccer with the WPS Inaugural Game against the Washington Freedom at the Home Depot Center.

From all over Southern California, families brought their children; their grandparents; some who have never watched a football match in their life; some who have seen matches involving the G’s, Chivas USA, the national teams and others; all who wanted a change of pace.

Black, blue, gold and white balloons and streamers decked the concourses of the stadium. The Goodyear Blimp peered like a jovial sentinel over the low clouds floating across the South Bay skyline as if to say, “Kilroy was here!”

The pregame festivities included Sepp Blatter of FIFA and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant sent their well wishes, flags of all nations in the league represented around the midfield circle, and Tonya Antonucci.

“Today is an historic day for soccer and women’s sports in the U.S. and the world,” Antonucci said. “We have kicked off a new league that can stake its claim as the worl’d premier soccer league for women based on the talent our teams have assembled.

“We have laid a foundation that can – and will – support a successful, entertaining and sustainable league.”

Mia Hamm, one of the USA’s most celebrated women footballers, presented the first-ever match ball with one of her twin daughters.

“Today I am here not as a player, but as a fan and a mom," said Hamm at the pre-game reception. “I couldn’t be more excited to watch the world-class action that will take place on the field…It’s a great day for women’s soccer and to see it back as part of the professional sports landscape in America.”

The Sol’s marquee player, Marta, showed flashes of her brilliance with Umea IK, but it was the supporting crew that dominated the match, along with key saves by Sol GK Karina LeBlanc.

It didn’t take long for Los Angeles to score off a set piece. Allison Falk went down in history as the first goal scorer in the league, with a header that was poorly handled by Freedom keeper Brianna Scurry off Aya Miyama in the sixth minute.

Scurry was hounded for the bulk of the match. She had to make twice as many saves as LeBlanc (6 to 3).

The Sol would not score again until Camille Abily, who plays for France’s Olympique Lyonnais, delivered a looping shot that Scurry would have no chance to stop in the 87th minute.

It was the product of a successful counter-attack that would ensure the Sol as the first team to win a game in WPS.

Sol manager Abner Rogers was all smile.

“We are really happy with the victory,” Rogers said. “To open up the inaugural season and come out with a victory is very pleasing. There were times when we played very well, but fitness was a bit of an issue for both teams, as you could see.

“It is only going to get better. I was definitely happy. We dodged a few bullets; even though we came out with a good victory, it was very beneficial.”

Freedom manager Jim Gabarra took it all in stride.

“We are missing some synchronization upfront, and that is due to the fact that we are missing a lead forward [M/F Parissa Eyokoron],” Gabarra said. “She has been carrying an injury and hasn’t been able to train with Abby.

“From my experience, the level of play was better than that of the WUSA inaugural game. The game deserved more goals. We deserved a goal or two, but that’s the game of soccer. We felt that in the second half, we possessed the ball better and had more scoring opportunities. What I take out of it is something to build on.

“We won our inaugural game for the WUSA, and we ended up tied for last at the end of that season. It’s just one game… it didn’t work out. We came here for three points, but it didn’t work out. They were composed, the keeper made saves. A bounce here, a bounce there, it would have been a different game.”

“It was a great ball from Aya,” said falk on her goal. ”I just went for it - I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I did and it went in.

“It was a very surreal experience… very exciting.”

Marta herself was satisfied with the 14,832 who came to Sunday afternoon’s match at Victoria Street.

“I was very excited to be out there today,” she said. “The atmosphere was phenomenal, and that always gives you a boost as a player.

“We got the result we wanted and are very happy with that. “

The Sol will hit the road on April 5 to face Sky Blue FC at 4:00PM EST.

The Freedom will return home to the Maryland SoccerPlex to take on the University of Virginia in a friendly on April 4 at 7:00PM before they resume WPS play against the Chicago Red Stars on April 11 at 6:00PM.

ISML 2009: Eight remain in contention...and Shana still leads the way

ISML 2009: Eight remain in contention for Aquamarine...and Shana still leads the way

March 29, 2009

With three matches to go in the Aquamarine necklace phase, the list contenders goes down to eight.

Among those are defending champion fate Testarossa Harlaown, Hinagiku Katsura, Kotomi Ichinose, and Shana, who all scored significant victories.

Shana, the league leader, defeated Nanoha Takamachi in a high-profile contest in Tokyo, 1,324-1,158. Ichinose and her violin took care of business against yuki Nagato, 1,260-1,207 in Shanghai. Katsura disposed of Tsukasa Hiiragi, 1,336-1,014 in Istanbul, while Harlaown was on her way to her sixth straight with a 1,301-909 decision over Suiseiseki in Milan.

Others in contention for the first necklace of the season include Kyou Fujibayashi, Saber, Tomoyo Sakagami and Haruhi Suzumiya.

Fujibayashi score an easy 1337-857 win over Nagi sanzen'in in Bangkok, with the faithful chanting "Leet! Leet! Leet!" Suzumiya faced a tough test against c.C. in Katowice, but stood tall in a 1303-1165 win, while Saber pasted Illyasviel von Einzbern in a 1255-805 laugher between Fate/Stay Night compatriots in Paris. Sakagami, meanwhile, glided to a 1,297-924 win over Rin Tosaka in Santiago.

The rest of the results saw impressive efforts by a number of the new faces, while veterans of the tournament had their day.

Mexico City watch Alice Carroll edge Amu Hinamori, 929-902. Louise francoise Le Blan De La Valliere defeated Anya Earlstreim, 1,175-949 in Mumbai, while Nagisa furukawa scored an inpressive 1,276 1,230 win over Kagami Hiiragi in Sao Paolo, knocking her out of contention for the Aquamarine necklace.

Index L. Prohibitorum was on her way to a 1,091-898 win over Akari Mizunashi in New York City, Konata Izumi let the dogs out on Holo in a 1,218-1,119 slugfest in Lagos, and Aya Shameimaru got on the win column with a 1,033-864 win over Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Los Angeles./

Rena Ryuuguu outworked Suigintou, 1,159-1,034 in Buenos Aires, Kallen Kozuki (Statdfeld) defeated Makoto Sawatari 1,026-996 in Seoul, Fuuko Ibuki sent Mizusu Kamio flying, 1,240-834 in Karachi, and Mei Sunohara had no problems with Kirino Chiba, 1,315-643, in Dhaka.

Mai Kawasumi put on a show in Manila, dismissing Chii 1,126-986, while Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) took the shine off Shiori Misaka, 1,039-842 in Cairo. Yuuhi Katagiri was no match for taiga Aoisaka, 1,388-693 in Jakarta, and Rika Furude leveled Sakura Kinomoto 1,215-946 in Moscow.

Minori Kushieda took down Nagi 1,161-809 in London, Maria rolled over reimu Hakurei 1,062-932 in Lima, and Ami Kawashima completed a successful day for Toradora!, with a 1,250-730 decision over Evangeline McDowell in Tehran.

As the dead people began to float on the rivers that flow around and through Bogota, Remilia Scarlet had a little more blood in her-okay, a LOT more blood left in her-in a 954-926 win over Vita, and nayuki Minase took out Hayate Yagami, 975-931 in Kinshasa.Kimoto Misaka and her lightning broke through Patchouli Knowledge's attacks-and books-in a 1,096-736 walloping in Toronto, Shinku scored a 1,084-1,022 victory over Ayu Tsukimiya in Algiers, and Mikuru Asahina was all business with a 1,399-771 decision over Shiki Ryogi in Madrid.

Rounding out the match day's action, Hanyuu Furude completed a successful outting for Higurashi with a 1,307-653 thump-a-thon of tamaki Kawazoe in Sydney, while Sayuri Kurata kept Marisa Kirisame winles with a 1,061-928 decision in Santo Domingo.

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

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 6

Skipped Match Day 5 due to a nose bleed from hell, combined with a raging headache and a fever to be damned. In short, I wasn't feeling too well.

ARENA 01: [Shana] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 02: [Hinamori Amu] Alice Carroll

ARENA 03: Anya Alstreim [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 04: [Hiiragi Kagami] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 05: [Index Prohibitorum] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 06: Ichinose Kotomi [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 07: [Izumi Konata] Holo

ARENA 08: Shameimaru Aya [Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu]

ARENA 09: Ryūgū Rena [Suigintou]

ARENA 10: Kōzuki Kallen [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 11: Kamio Misuzu [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 12: Chiba Kirino [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 13: Chii [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 14: [Konjiki no Yami] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 15: [Aisaka Taiga] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 16: [Saber] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 17: [Katsura Hinagiku] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 18: Kinomoto Sakura [Furude Rika]

ARENA 19: Nagi [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 20: [Maria] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 21: [Kawashima Ami] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 22: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 23: Remilia Scarlet [Vita]

ARENA 24: Tōsaka Rin [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 25: [Yagami Hayate] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 26: [Misaka Mikoto] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 27: Tsukimiya Ayu [Shinku]

ARENA 28: Suiseiseki [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 29: Ryōgi Shiki [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 30: [Furude Hanyū] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 31: Kirisame Marisa [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 32: [Suzumiya Haruhi] C.C.

ISML 2008: Could Shana's Aquamarine defense be successful?

ISML 2008: Could Shana's Aquamarine defense be successful?

March 27, 2008

With five match days in both the 2009 International Saimoe League and ISML Aquamarine phase completed, all signs point to Shana completing a possibly successful defense of her Aquamarine necklace.

But with four match days to go, and ten others on her tail, it's just as safe to say: "It's not over yet!"

For Shana, her latest assignment was Marisa Kirisame. No problem. The outcome? A 1279-599 laugher in Moscow.

As for a number of the other heavyweights, it was more of the same.

Defending champ Fate Testarossa Harlaown pummeled Anya Earlstreim, 1114-632 in Bangkok. Nanoha Takamachi outlasted Ami Kawashima 925-818 in Algiers while Kyou Fujibayashi took down Reimu Hakurei 1141-664 in Cairo. Kotomi Ichinose had no problems against Shinku, pulling out her always-reliable violin in a 1125-600 thumping in Paris. Konata Izumi schooled Yuuhi Katagiri, 1162-648, in Mumbai, while Yuki Nagato delivered a 1274-602 defeat to Chii in Tokyo.

C.C. put the clamps on Alice Carroll, 1092-594 in Toronto, Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Mikuru Asahina 1149-648 in Katowice, and the Hiiragi sisters had their day. Tsukasa crushed Index L. Prohibitorum, 1110-700 in Buenos Aires, while Kagami took down Mei Sunohara, 1117-721, in London.

Overall, this was a field day for the veterans.

Hinagiku Katsura rolled over Tamaki Kawazoe, 1112-446 in Milan, Sakura Kinomoto took down Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1056-575 in Madrid, Saber defeated Akari Mizunashi 1088-669 in Kinshasa, and Tomoyo Sakagami ran down Misuzu Kamio 1119-631 in Bogota.

Fuuko Ibuki defeated Remilia Scarlet 1017-673 in Lima, Hanyuu Furude defeated Minori Kushieda 936-778 in Jakarta, her sister Rika defeated Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1156-572 in Tehran, Nagisa Furukawa thumped Shiki Ryogi, 1073-633 in Los Angeles, and Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La vallere scored a 976-670 win over Aya Shameimaru in Seoul.

In other results, Holo chewed up Nagi, 1005-594 in Dhaka, Illyasviel von Einzbern scored a surprising 852-781 win over Suiseiseki in Santiago, Rin Tosaka bombed Shiori Misaka 1080-602 in santo Domingo, Makoto Sawatari defeated Kirino Chiba 729-683 in Sydney, Maria defeated Patchouli Knowledge 1099-560 in Mexico City, Mai Kawasumi defeated Amu HInamori 1071-588 in Sao Paolo, rena Ryuuguu defeated Vita 1149-619 in New York, Ayu Tsukimiya put the "Uguu" on Nayuki Minase 849-592 in Shanghai, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) defeated Evangeline A.K. McDowell 855-616 in Karachi, Suigintou took down Mikoto Misaka 932-780 in Lago, Nagi Sanzen'in defeated Hayate Yagami 986-680 in Manila (with Nagi saying "A combat butler you aren't!"), and Taiga Aisaka defeated Sayuri Kurata 1115-632 in Istanbul.

ISML 2009: Shana, Saber, Fuuko and Tomoyo rolling in Aquamarine Match Day 4

ISML 2009: Shana, Saber, Fuuko and Tomoyo rolling in Aquamarine Match Day 4

March 24, 2009

The franchise characters from CLANNAD, Fate/Stay Night and Shakugan no Shana took home some huge victorries in Aquamarine Match Day 4 of the 2009 International Saimoe League Season.

Shana, ranked #1, defeated Taiga Aisaka, 1256-971, as people floated lifeless in the rivers crossing and surrounding Bogota. Saber pulled off an impressive 1225-1040 upset special over Tsukasa Hiiragi in London.

The home field advantage carried Saber, a.k.a. Arthuria Pendragon, to the finish line. Flags of England, the United Kingdom, and other healdic banners waved to the sounds of a number of groups who chanted "We're walking in a Saber Wonderland."

A close contest awaited fans in Cairo. Fuuko Ibuki edged Rena Ryuuguu, 1075-1071. Meanwhile, Tomoyo Sakagami had no issue in booting out Touhou's Remilia Scarlet, 1449-695 near Topkapi in Istanbul.

A number of mainstays in the tournament were provided with some muscle-flexing matches. Yuki Nagato skated by Ami Hinamori, 1477-825, in New York City. Fate Testarossa Harlaown, the defending ISML champion, whizzed by Aya Shameimaru, 1318-633. Haruhi Suzumiya more than doubled-up Alice Carroll, 1521-739 in Kinshasa. Konata Izumi defeated Sayuri Kurata, 1318-922, in Buenos Aires. Kagami Hiiragi also did a double-up plus on Makoto Sawatari, 1497-736, in Moscow. Rika Furude plastered Kirino Chiba, 1319-594, in Toronto.

Kyou Fujibayashi gave Patchouli Knowledge a taste of her own biblical medicine. One book hurl was all it took, in a 1523-562 farce of a match in Bangkok. Kotomi Ichinose has no issues against Nayuki Minase, launching the tried-and-true violin in a 1323-654 wipeout in Jakarta. And Hinagiku Katsura put the clamps on Minori Kushieda, winning 1250-851 in Shanghai.

Other returnees had some competition. Nanoha Takamachi, who saw the detractors come calling after barely edging Rin Tosaka by two votes, had a few more coming in in a 1098-905 victory over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) in Lagos. Hanyuu Furude escaped Holo, outlasting her 1014-1014 in Paris. Sakura Kinomoto had to lay out the trump Clow Card in a 1113-1083 thriller over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Sao Paolo.

Other newcomers had their fun. Marisa Kirisame is on pace to be the one with the Wooden Spoon. Ami Kawashima dusted her, 1218-790, in Katowice. Index Librorum Prohibitorum scored a 1048-845 decision over Tamaki Kawazoe in Tokyo. Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) outlasted Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, 1098-925, in Mexico City. A "thrilla in Manila" this wasn't: Mei Sunohara defeated Shiki Ryogi 1267-760.

Misuzu Kamio pulled off an impressive 947-696 win over Shiori Misaka in Sydney, while Mikoto Misaka's electrical attacks worked against Vita and her large hammer, Graf Eisen, in a 1090-742 victory in Tehran.

Hayate Yagami and Reinforce Zwei were no match for Reimu Hakurei as she won, 997-861 in Dhaka. And Illyasviel von Einzbern busted Anya Earlstreim, 1160-826, in Los Angeles while Santo Domingo saw Yuuhi Katagiri outlast Nagi, 937-909.

In other results, Suigintou defeated Maria, 1096-947, in Madrid. Rin, riding off a near-upset of Nanoha, wiped off Evangeline McDowell, 1278-681 in Milan. Suiseiseki, who saw previous success in Korea by winning the 2006 tournament along with the tournament in Japan, was at it again as Akari Mizunashi fell, 1133-815, in Seoul. Any questions of Chii's relevance to the tournament being tenuous were trumped as she clobbered Shinku, 1128-981, in Mumbai. And Nagisa Furukawa laid the dango on Mikuru Asahina, 1159-1009, in Algiers.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Index Prohibitorum] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 02: Kōzuki Kallen [Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu]

ARENA 03: Chii [Shinku]

ARENA 04: Kinomoto Sakura [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 05: Hinamori Amu [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 06: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 07: Konjiki no Yami [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 08: [Anya Alstreim] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 09: [Izumi Konata] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 10: [Suiseiseki] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 11: [C.C.] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 12: [Yagami Hayate] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 13: Ryōgi Shiki [Abstained] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 14: Ryūgū Rena [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 15: [Ichinose Kotomi] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 16: Furude Hanyū [Holo]

ARENA 17: Remilia Scarlet [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 18: [Hiiragi Kagami] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 19: Saber [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 20: Shameimaru Aya [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 21: [Misaka Mikoto] Vita

ARENA 22: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 23: Aisaka Taiga [Shana]

ARENA 24: Tsukimiya Ayu [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 25: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Alice Carroll

ARENA 26: Chiba Kirino [Furude Rika]

ARENA 27: Asahina Mikuru [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 28: [Tōsaka Rin] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 29: Maria [Suigintou]

ARENA 30: [Kamio Misuzu] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 31: [Nagi] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 32: Kawashima Ami [Kirisame Marisa]

One big unHappy family?

Here's something straight out of a drama that actually happened. I heard that my father, who is the best I ever had, had a child from a previous relationship. And this was not revealed to me until today. My mom and dad heard about it a day before.

See, here's the thing: my mom and dad immigrated here. But the reason why I was born here and not in the P.I. was because of some paperwork. You know the process to sponsor someone to emigrate here? If you don't, look it up. That's why we have Google, gang.

So, to keep a long story short, my older sister and my dad have to cross the border to get her here. And to have her become a nurse, HachiDad needed to find some insider to fast-track her. He got it done, my sister is now doing well at St. Mary's Medical Center, but as for the other child, my half-sister (I realize I'm an older brother) is still in the P.I., waiting to come here.

But the reason HachiMom is showing (at this time) why I have my mental condition is because, as you know, the infidelity factor. My half-sister is 18. So now I have a younger half-sister, an older sister and an older brother-in-law. Four adults. And my mom cannot believe that this revelation was not provided to her until today.

See, if my dad was not able to move heaven and earth by fudging up some paperwork two decades ago, I would be posting from Manila. I could have gotten my degree from De La Salle or Ateneo or Santo Tomas, and my sister would have been a CSULB student.

Who know how history would have changed if he did not succeed.

But now, because of this, I really don't know what to think. I try to look at this in a positive light, and right now, I am just starting to internalize the implications and consequences.

I don't want my family to fall apart. I don't want my mom and dad to be divorced. But when something that has been kept mum for nearly a couple of decades comes at you like an open Pandora's Box, the question beckons: what can you do?

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 3

ARENA 01: [Katsura Hinagiku] Holo

ARENA 02: Tsukimiya Ayu [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 03: [Chiba Kirino] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 04: Alice Carroll [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 05: Misaka Mikoto [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 06: Kinomoto Sakura [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 07: Anya Alstreim [Mizunashi Akari]

ARENA 08: [Izumi Konata] Shana

ARENA 09: Hinamori Amu [Shinku]

ARENA 10: [Remilia Scarlet] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Kagami] Furude Rika

ARENA 12: Konjiki no Yami [Kirisame Marisa]

ARENA 13: [Maria] Vita

ARENA 14: [Saber] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 15: [Kamio Misuzu] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 16: Ryōgi Shiki [Sawatari Makoto]

ARENA 17: Ryūgū Rena [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 18: [Index Prohibitorum] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 19: [Yagami Hayate] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 20: [Asahina Mikuru] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 21: Suiseiseki [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 22: C.C. [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 23: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Suigintou

ARENA 24: Kōzuki Kallen [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 25: Kawashima Ami [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 26: Nagi [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 27: Chii [Minase Nayuki]

ARENA 28: Tōsaka Rin [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 29: [Ichinose Kotomi] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 30: Furukawa Nagisa [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 31: [Shameimaru Aya] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 32: [Furude Hanyū] Katagiri Yūhi

ISML 2009: Blowouts and heavy action on Day 2

ISML 2009: Blowouts and heavy action on Day 2

March 19, 2009


Aquamarine Match Day 2 saw more-one sided contents and close races galore in the young 2009 International Saimoe League season.

In Bangkok, a marathon match saw Sakura Kinomoto pull off a 844-820 victory over Illyasviel von Einzbern. Suigintou defeated Hayate Yagami in a 1,032-646 blasting in Buenos Aires. Lucky Star's Konata Izumi was too fast and too furrious for Ami Kawashima, 1,100-754, in Jakarta. CLANNAD's Tomoyo Sakagami was immune to the electrical attacks from Mikoto Misaka, sending her flying with a 1,084-669 victory in Madrid.

The good news for CLANNAD continued. Kotomi Ichinose outlasted Reimu Hakurei, 988-856 in Tokyo. Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Vita, 1155-547, in a match under the Eiffel Tower in Paris that wasn't even close. Nagisa Furukawa, in a contest between fellow compatriots, defeated Mei Sunohara, 970-630, in Dhaka. And Fuuko Ibuko outpaced Maria, 951-828, in Santo Domingo.

Lucky Star's Hiiragi sisters held their ground, too. Kagami dismantled Ayumo "Osaka" Kasuga, 1337-503 in Los Angeles. When the result was announced, the crowd chanted: "Leet! Leet! Leet!" (Elite! Elite! Elite!), poking fun at the number. Tsukasa ran down Anya Alstreim, 1108-747, in Sao Paolo.

Hinagiku KAtsura defeated Yuuhi Katagiri, 1049-558, in Mexico City, while Remilia Scarlet laid the fangs on Evangeline McDowell, 819-709, in Mumbai. Holo also flourished, schooling Index L. Prohibitorum, 961-698, in Shanghai, while Taiga Aisaka continue her impressive start with a 1051-638 pasting of Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) in Seoul.

Bamoboo Blade's representatives didn't fare as well. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere took out Kirino Chiba, 994-586, in Karachi, while Suiseiseki put the desu on Tamaki Kawazoe (desu), 912-655, in Manila (desu). Higurashi's representatives did better. Hanyuu Furude downed Sayuri Kurata 1002-625 in Moscow, Rika Furude took down Shiki Ryogi 1037-606 in Santiago, Rena Ryuuguu chopped Shiori Misaka, 1012-593 in Algiers.

Rin Tosaka proved that a Master Spark from Marisa Kirisame never stood a chance on anyone-well, her at least-in a 1021-672 victory in Cairo. What was already a difficult day for Touhou, with the two franchise characters suffering a defeat, only got worse. Patchouli Knowledge was handcuffed by Ayu Tsukimiya, the "Uguu" girl from Kanon, in a 955-685 defeat at Katowice. And Aya Shameimaru was edged by Akari Mizunashi, 735-697, in Bogota.

The SOS Brigade has a field day, too. The franchise, Haruhi Suzumiya, crushed Mai Kawasumi, 1151-739 in Lagos. Mikuru Asahina blasted Makoto Sawatari, 1085-593 in Sydney. And Yuki Nagato rounded out a clean sweep with a 1203-642 drubbing of Alice Carroll in New York.

The other big-timers in the competition had very little tough sletting. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown notched a 1108-648 win over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in what was a partisan Kozuki crowd in London. C.C. ensured that Code Geass was not going to come away with nothing, defeating Shinku 1055-701 in Milan. Nanoha Takamachi outpaced Misuzu Kamio 921-716 in Kinshasa, and Nagi Sanzen'in crushed Chii 1056-678 in Istanbul.

Wrapping up action, Nayuki Minase salvaged a victory for Kanon in a 794-660 win over Amu HInamori in Toronto.

Match Day 3 in the Aquamarine Stage is scheduled for March 20, 2009. Polls open at 12:00 GMT and close at 12:00 GMT the following day.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 2

ARENA 01: [Ichinose Kotomi] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 02: [Katsura Hinagiku] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 03: [Remilia Scarlet] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 04: Anya Alstreim [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 05: Alice Carroll [Nagato Yuki]

ARENA 06: Index Prohibitorum [Holo]

ARENA 07: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Kawasumi Mai

ARENA 08: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 09: Yagami Hayate [Suigintou]

ARENA 10: Konjiki no Yami [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 11: Chiba Kirino [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 12: [Furukawa Nagisa] Sunohara Mei

ARENA 13: [Suiseiseki] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 14: Tōsaka Rin [Kirisame Marisa]

ARENA 15: [Izumi Konata] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 16: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Vita

ARENA 17: Chii [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 18: [Furude Hanyū] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 19: Kōzuki Kallen [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 20: Nagi [Shana]

ARENA 21: [Saber] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 22: [Kinomoto Sakura] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 23: Shameimaru Aya [Mizunashi Akari]

ARENA 24: Ryōgi Shiki [Furude Rika]

ARENA 25: Kamio Misuzu [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 26: [Hinamori Amu] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 27: [Ryūgū Rena] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 28: [C.C.] Shinku

ARENA 29: Misaka Mikoto [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 30: [Asahina Mikuru] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 31: Maria [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 32: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Patchouli Knowledge

ISML Season Kicks Off...With A Bang!

The 2009 International Saimoe League season started with fireworks in all 32 cities, over six continents, taking part in the first battles of the race for the tiara. After all the competitors were introduced in their respective arenas, the action began in earnest.

In Katowice, Poland, Kotomi Ichinose of CLANNAD was able to use her violin to outdo Touhou Project's Patchouli Knowledge in a 1318-577 blowout. Istanbul, Turkey saw Lucky Star's Tsukasa Hiiragi steamroll Touhou's Aya Shameimaru, 1260-632. Yuki Nagato, a few days removed from helping Nagisa Furukawa get back into form for the tournament, showed that she lost none of her poise in a 1232-729 rout of Kanon's Mai Kawasumi in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Sakura Kinomoto, a tried and true competitor in these tournaments, took Akari Mizunashi to school in a 944-688 thumping in Moscow's Red Square arena.

Hanyuu Furude of Higirashi no Naku Koro Ni was no match for the always-fearsome Shana, who left sparks of flames in her wake outside Tokyo Tower, 1279-759. Newcomer Mikoto Misaka from To Aru Majutsu No Index sent shock waves past Shiori Misaka, 916-803 in Mexico City. Sayuri Kurato of Kanon was sliced and diced into submission by Hinagiku Katsura of Hayate the Combat Butler, 1124-698. Tomoyo Sakagami of CLANNAD nearly doubled-up Maria in New York City, 1272-647. Hanyuu's sister, Rika, fared better in a 1004-964 thriller over Mikuru Asahina of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya in Shanghai, China.

The people of Lagos, Nigeria were treated to a sensational battle between two new entrants. AIR's Misuzu Kamio sent Marisa Kirisame and her Master Spark flying, 916-839. Nagi Sanzenin, Hayate Ayasaki's master, showed that she was ready in a 1100-605 schooling of Shugo Chara's Amu Hinamori in Los Angeles. Index L. Prohibitorum's debut was a doozy, edging newcomer Yuuhi Katagiri of Akane Iro Ni Somaru Saka, 805-779. Suigintou of Rozen Maiden slashed her way past Kanon's Ayu Tsukimiya, 1057-813 in Seoul. As the cries of "Uguu" were raining down in the Korean capital, the grunts of Saber (Arthuria Pendragon) echoed in Karachi, Pakistan against Holo from Spice and Wolf. A large wolf was no match for Caliburn, Saber's sword in a 993-894 victory.

C.C. of Code Geass was at it again, this time defeated Nayuki Minase of Kanon, 1190-740 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Higurashi's Rena Ryuuguu made it business as usuall against Negima!? holdover Evangeline McDowell, 1145-620 in Manila, Philippines. The franchise of the Haruhi Suzumiya series, Ms. Suzumiya herself, sent the closed-space blue monster to sweep aside CLANNAD's Mei Sunohara, 1274-732. Shiki Ryogi of Kara no Kyoukai notched her first win of the campaign with a 910-720 victor of Azumanga Daioh's Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Jakarta.

In Paris, Shinku wasted no time in defeating Alice Carroll of ARIA, 878-781. Kagami Hiiragi, the defending 2chan Saimoe Champion, thumped Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, 1349-617 in London. Hayate Yagami made her debut a smash hit, defeating comrade Vita 882-608 in Lima, Peru. Fresh off being restored to full health by Haruhi, Nagisa dismantled Makoto Sawatari, 1236-444. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown kept her unbeaten streak from last season going with a 1257-428 laugher over Kirino Chiba in Bangkok. Bogota, Colombia saw Anya Alstreim made it a Code Geass sweeep with a 866-755 debut vivtory over Tamaki Kawazoe.

Touhou didn't leave empty handed, though. Even though Remilia Scarlet was embarassed 1023-706 by Nanoha Takamachi in Toronto, Canada, shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei kept hope alive with a 916-869 victory over Chii in Santiago, Chile. Konata Izumi of Lucky Star was too good for Konjiki no Yami (a.k.a. Golden Darkness), winning 1229-703 in Kinshasa, Congo DR. Algiers, Algeria was the site for Suiseiseki's first win of the campaign, a 936-866 win over Toradora's Minori Kushieda. Ami Kawashima and Taiga Aisaka were more successful. Kawashima defeated Kannagi's Nagi, 896-782 in Milan, Italy. Aisaka upstaged Fate/Stay Night's Rin Tosaka, 1020-915.

Finally, to wrap up the day's action, in a battle of CLANNAD compatriots, Kyou Fujibayashi outlasted Fuuko Ibuki in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1073-577.

---

minhtam1638, Team Rocket Elite, minhtam1638, and Juice of the International Saimoe League contributed to this report.

BoBA's picks for ISML2009 Aquamarine Match Day 1

ARENA 01: Furude Hanyū [Shana]

ARENA 02: [Misaka Mikoto] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 03: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 04: [Kawasumi Mai] Nagato Yuki

ARENA 05: Maria [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 06: Asahina Mikuru [Furude Rika]

ARENA 07: Kamio Misuzu [Kirisame Marisa]

ARENA 08: Hinamori Amu [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 09: [Index Prohibitorum] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 10: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Suigintou

ARENA 11: Saber [Holo]

ARENA 12: [C.C.] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 13: [Ryūgū Rena] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 14: Sunohara Mei [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 15: Ryōgi Shiki [Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu]

ARENA 16: Alice Carroll [Shinku]

ARENA 17: Shameimaru Aya [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 18: [Kinomoto Sakura] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 19: [Hiiragi Kagami] Louise Vallière

ARENA 20: [Yagami Hayate] Vita

ARENA 21: [Furukawa Nagisa] Sawatari Makoto

ARENA 22: Chiba Kirino [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 23: Anya Alstreim [Kawazoe Tamaki]

ARENA 24: Chii [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 25: Konjiki no Yami [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 26: Remilia Scarlet [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 27: Suiseiseki [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 28: [Nagi] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 29: Kōzuki Kallen [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 30: Tōsaka Rin [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 31: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Ibuki Fūko

ARENA 32: [Ichinose Kotomi] Patchouli Knowledge