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.