ISML 2009: Kotomi, the unlikeliest of good girls, tops Ruby standings

ISML 2009: Kotomi, the unlikeliest of good girls, tops Ruby standings

August 2, 2009

On a day in which a Filipina heroine was given a salute, a day in which unfinished business was attained in Rome and the Los Angeles Galaxy earned F.C. Barcelona's respect at the Coliseum, Kotomi Ichinose topped the 2009 International Saimoe League Ruby Necklace Standings through six match days.

Wait, who?

Yes, you are not seeing things or reading hearsay. Ichinose and her mad violin blew everyone away, and she walked to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive 1376-1337 victory over defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown in Tehran.

It was the first in a series of critical results that whittled the field for the necklace to eight. And two of the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls have seen their campaign end.

Mikuru Asahina defeated Shinku 1388-1295 in Lagos and Suiseiseki faced a stiff roadblock in Tomoyo Sakagami, submitting to a 1550-1200 rout in Moscow. Suigintou salvaged victory, defeating Sakura Kinomoto 1580-1049 in Dhaka.

The SOS Brigade claimed a sweep, while Shana kept her lead at the top of the overall standings.

Haruhi Suzumiya got some hard-earned payback against her protege Konata Izumi, winning 1492-1115 in Mexico City and Yuki Nagato prevented a would-be sweep for CLANNAD, prevailing 1362-1277 in Buenos Aires.

Shana herself had a tough nut to crack in Rin Tosaka, but got the job done with a 1550-1272 win in Algiers.

In other action...Maria dusted off Tamaki Kawazoe 1835-711 in Tokyo, Reimu Hakurei scored a 1300-789 win over Kirino Chiba in Mumbai, Vita defeated Aya Shameimaru 1190-803 in Sao Paulo, Kyou Fujibayashi routed Tsukasa Hiiragi 1491-1140 in New York City, Minori Kushieda crushed Mikoto Misaka 1311-956 in Shanghai and Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) cruised to a 1489-1091 win in Los Angeles.

Illyasviel von Einzbern took out Ayu Tsukimiya 1499-1055 in Seoul, Karachi witnessed Yuuhi Katagiri score a 1127-788 decision over Remilia Scarlet 1127-788, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere rolled past Chii 1393-960 in Manila, Sayuri Kurata took down Misuzu Kamio 1256-977 in Cairo and Evangeline A.K. McDowell wass all business with a 1191-977 victory over Index L. Prohibitorum in Jakarta.

Hayate Yagami was too good for Akari Mizunashi 1405-713 in Paris, Istanbul witnessed Hanyuu Furude pulverize Marisa Kirisame 1500-731, Horo chomped up Rena Ryuuguu 1428-1104 in London (though Craft Lawrence sold the billhooks at some market unknown to Bongaboi or the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue as of this article date), Saber slashed the living daylights out of Shiori Misaka 1497-776 in Lima and Patchouli Knowledge scored a rare victory with a 1071-1012 thriller over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Bangkok.

Wrapping up action...C.C. scored an impressive 1360-1264 victory over Rika Furude in Santiago, Makoto Sawatari punched out Alice Carroll 1155-886 in Kinshasa, Amu Hinamori sciored a 1213-616 victory over Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Toronto, Fuuko Ibuki left Anya Earlstreim star-struck 1602-806 in Milan, Nayuki Minase triumphed over Shiki Ryogi 1108-912 in Madrid, Taiga Aisaka roared over Nagi 1787-611 in Sydney, an intriguing match in Santo Domingo saw Mei Sunohara outpace Mai Kawasumi 1316-1101 and Hinagiku Katsura rendered Nanoha Takamachi helpless in an eyebrow-raising 1597-1111 victory in Katowice.