ISML 2009: Can Kagami hold on to defend her Amethyst?

ISML 2009: Can Kagami hold on to defend her Amethyst?

May 28, 2009

As the month of May closes-and with it the 2009 International Saimoe League Amethyst phase-the big question is on the minds of voters heading in the final match day: can Kagami Hiiragi defend her necklace?

Yuki Nagato is looking to make it two in a row while Shana is also hoping to earn her second-ever necklace. Fellow SOS Brigade member and franchise leader Haruhi Suzumiya (also the only remaining unbeaten) is looking to be the first to win three different ISML necklaces. Suigintou, who is second in the standings, lies close behind in anticipation of a solid result in Amethyst 9. And Rin Tosaka of Fate Stay/Night could surprise everyone in the pack if the chips fall in her favor.

Kagami torched Shiori Misaka 2028-940 in London, while Suigintou prevailed over Mei Sunohara 1751-1341 in Karachi. Nagato routed Illyasviel von Einvbern 1939-1144 in Toronto and Suzumiya kept her streak going with an easy 2234-894 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Madrid. Shana burned past Hayate Yagami 2067-1005 in Manila and Tosaka defeated Mikoto Misaka 1648-1144 in Sao Paulo.

For Kagami, she has a tough cookie to crack in Tomoyo Sakagami, but a victory over the chick with kicks could seal a successful defense. Sakagami sent Shiki Ryogi upwards with a 2047-886 beatdown in Bogota. For the hardest-working hunk of junk, she has a tough task in containing Nagisa Furukawa. The dango-hauling breadwinner routed Vita 1887-1123 in Tokyo.

Yuki may have the toughest test among those still in contention: a date with defending ISML Champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown. The Bardiche-swinging blonde superstar eliminated Shinku from contention in a 1800-1542 victory in Mexico City. But can a win over Fate be enough?

Haruhi and Rin, however, have easier fish to fry.

Suzumiya's next match to close out the Amethyst is against Hinagiku Katsura, who pasted Index L. Prohibitorum 1955-772 in Moscow. Tosaka's last match in the Amethyst phase is against Rena Ryuuguu, who defeated Misuzu Kamio 1466-1276 in Buenos Aires.

Whether or not victories for Haruhi and Rin will be enough remains to be seen. Then again, this IS the ISML, and upsets have happened, at the behest of the voters who make the call.

In other action, Kotomi Ichinose thumped Yuuhi Katagiri 1851-1016 in Mimbai, New York City sqw Minori Kushieda defeat Ami Hinamori 1517-1184, Konata Izumi killed Anya Earlstreim 1979-1019 in Shanghai and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere stomped Nayuki Minase 1536-1220 in Lagos.

C.C. put Tamaki Kawazoe to sleep 1829-968 in Los Angeles, Seoul saw Sakura Kinomoto chalk up a 1539-1084 win over Marisa Kirisame, Saber sliced up Hanyuu Furude 1682-1257 in Dhaka, Evangeline McDowell ran down Kirino Chiba 1344-962 in Cairo and Tsukasa Hiiragi secured a sweep for the Lucky Star girls with a 1862-966 annihilation of Alice Carroll in Jakarta.

Suiseiseki had no problems against Nagi in a 1817-956 blowout in Paris, Istanbul saw Makoto Sawatari score a 1402-964 victory, Maria defeated Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1480-1237 in Lima, Nagi Sanzen'in chalked up a 2008-735 pummeling of whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Tehran and Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Ami Kawashima rather handily, 2066-966 in Bangkok.

Wrapping up the day's action: Rika Furude prevailed over Reimu Hakurei 1470-1131 in Santiago, Ayu Tsukimiya "uguued" Sayuri Kurata to death 1342-999 in Kinshasa, Nanoha Takamachi busted Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1839-945 in Algiers, Horo chomped up Chii 1642-1102 in MIlan, Taiga Aisaka roared past Aya Shameimaru 1941-805 in Sydney, Mikuru Asahina secured a SOS Brigade sweep with a thrilling 1569-1550 victory in Santo Domingo, and Mai Kawasumi easily took out Akari Mizunashi 1620-910 in Katowice.