ISML 2009: Nagisa, Sakura, Tsukasa, Minori big winners on Topaz 5
April 23, 2009
With the Topaz necklace phase drawing towards its conclusion, the 2009 International Saimoe League season saw some impressive victories far and wide.
Nagisa Furukawa faced a very stiff test against Ami Kawashima. Ultimately, she prevailed in Algiers with a 1304-1117 victory. Sakura Kinomoto, a staple of many a saimoe tournament, held her won against Mikoto Misaka with a 1226-1048 victory. Tsukasa Hiiragi delivered an impressive 1296-1157 win over Illyasviel von Einzbern in Istanbul. But the most impressive win among the marquee matchups of Topaz 5 was Minori Kushieda's 1194-1191 upset over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Moscow.
The cream of the ISML crop had no problems keeping their own clean slate. Haruhi Suzumiya kept her unbeaten streak alive for one more match day with an easy 1826-747 victory in Buenos Aires. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown was rarely tested by Tamaki Kawazoe, as she cruised to a 1414-755 laugher in Bogota. Kyou Fujibayashi continued her run with a 1649-723 annihilation of Anya Earlstreim in Bangkok. Tomoyo Sakagami dusted off Reimu Hakurei to continue her unbeaten run, 1514-843 in Toronto.
Kagami Hiiragi stayed at the top of the table in the Topaz standings. The twintailed superstar from Lucky Star sent Misuzu Kamio into the stratosphere with a 1537-926 victory in Paris.
In other action, Hanyuu Furude roughhoused Amu Hinamori, 1422-903 in Tokyo, Kotomi Ichinose violin shredded the holy garb off of Index L. Prohibitorum 1517-868 in Mexico City, Mumbai saw Rin Tosaka rout Shiki Ryogi 1598-737, Sao Paulo saw Sayuri Kurata outdo Makoto Sawatari in a battle of fellow Kanon contenders 1223-787, and Nagi Sanzen'in took down Shiori Misaka 1573-911 in New York.
Hinagiku Katsura rolled over Chii 1537-985 in Shanghai, Maria made it a sweep for the Hayate crew with a 1509-697 decision over Aya Shameimaru in Lagos, Los Angeles saw Saber slash past Ayu Tsukimiya 1475-996, Rika Furude pummeled Yuuhi Katagiri 1461-797 in Seoul, and Rena Ryuuguu made it a clean sweep for the Higurashi girls with a 1541-807 chopping of Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Karachi.
Suiseiseki pulled off a close 1190-1118 victory over Hayate Yagami in Dhaka, it was a Manila Massacre for Marisa Kirisame as she got levelled by Yuki Nagato 1721-765, Suigintou took down Vita easily in Cairo 1523-798, Konata Izumi secured a successful day for Lucky Star with a 1595-811 rout of Alice Carroll, and Nayuki Minase pulled off a 1152-1049 decision over Evangeline McDowell in London.
Nanoha Takamachi escaped Shinku with a 1281-1160 victory in Lima, Taiga Aisaka roared past Mai Kawasumi 1393-973 in Santiago, Shana whipped past Mei Sunohara 1574-843 in Milan, and Fuuko Ibuki was rarely challenged by Patchouli Knowledge, ensuring another miserable day for Touhou Project in a 1529-657 bull-goring in Madrid.
Wrapping up the day's action, Holo easily ate up Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1633-605 in Sydney, Santo Domingo saw Mikuru Asahina confirm another successful outing for the SOS Brigade with a 1349-1100 victory over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness), and C.C. stomped Nagi 1493-782 in Katowice.
After five match days in the Topaz, there are eleven candidates chasing Kagami for this necklace. Only two days remain before the fate of this prize is known. Place your vote at InternationalSaimoe.com for this and all the other matches in the ISML.
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ISML Commissioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.
