ISML 2009: Hinagiku pulls out the upset special on Shana!

ISML 2009: Hinagiku pulls out the upset special on Shana!

October 24, 2009

Would you believe it! The upset of the year!

Well...so far. But while it was clear that there would be a new champion, Hinagiku Katsura stunned a lot of faces at the Chromosphere Arena, located on the Big Dog, the star of Sirius. A 1677-1395 victory puts her one victory away from succeeding fate Testarossa Harlaown in winning the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara.

The defeat was Shana's first since April 3, 2009. Shana lost to Tomoyo Sakagami 1411-1306 in the Aquamarine stage.

Even Katsura-the Student Council President and pride of the Hakuou Academy in Nerima, Tokyo-was amazed herself at the victory.

"I feel like I'm in full vibrational mode right now, to quote Oprah Winfrey," said Katsura after the contest. "This has to be one of the biggest victories of my career. It's not easy to defeat the top seed in the tournament. But I have to do what I have to do, and I got it done."

Katsura said she knew that she faced the chance of Shana facing her again at the Prinadz Arena, located in the core of Sirius. But it didn't faze her one bit.

"I could be facing Yuki Nagato or Tomoyo [Sakagami], who also defeated Shana," Katsura said. "I come into the closing phases of this contest without any fear, only confidence.

"I am ready to win this Tiara."

Harlaown already conceded her defense against Nagato in the Loser's Bracket Fourth Round, 1687-1536.

Of course, there was other action going on as well.

An exhibition at Madrid saw Kobato Hanato score a 1451-1242 victory over Kuroko Shirai. The kindergarten teacher from the Yoyogi Nursery was quite surprised by the reception she earned at the Spanish capital.

"My role is to heal those whose hearts ache for the ones who love in this world," Hanato said. "It doesn't hurt me to take a little excursion and take part in something like this. I feel privileged to be in Spain. This is the first time I've been here. I've heard about the bull fights, the food and the football...but not the fact I was invited to compete in an exhibition. I look forward to perhaps coming back here, or wherever this group of people known as the International Saimoe League wants me to go. It has been an honor."

As expected, Haruhi Suzumiya bounced back in the classification matches with a 1683-1391 victory over Rin Tosaka at Point Rho, while Mikuru Asahina took down Suigintou 1625-1398 at Point Tau.

Finally, there was the matter of the Relegation Matches.

Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere was dealt her first defeat of these matches with a 1478-1444 defeat to Mikoto Misaka in Tokyo. Index Prohibitorum defeated Nayuki Minase 1512-1334 in New York City, Sayuri Kurata defeated Evangeline McDowell 1553-1279 in Buenos Aires, Mai Kawasumi whipped past Chii 1539-1357 in Cairo, Reimu Hakurei rolled past Vita 1437-1171 in Moscow, Hayate Yagami edged out Misuzu Kamio 01404-1340 in London and Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1497-1397 in Sydney.

With the victory, Kawasumi now assumes top spot in the table. Regardless of where she finishes, De La Valliere will return to the 2010 ISML due to her finish in the 2009 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament (quarterfinals).