May 2, 2009
Yuki Nagato became the second of the three members of the SOS Brigade to win an International Saimoe League necklace on a day where Fate Testarossa Harlaown and Tomoyo Sakagami's unbeaten streaks ended.
Nagato earned the Topaz necklace with a 1383-1317 thriller in Seoul over Sakagami.
"It's a great feeling to be on top," said Nagato. "Based on my calculations on my standing and where my other competitors stood, I knew that a victory today could seal the deal. I thank the people of Seoul, and the ISML for this necklace. And I am confident that this will be the momentum I seek heading into the rest of the season."
Sakagami took the defeat in stride.
"You can't take anything away from Yuki; she is as good a fighter as you will see out there," she said after the match. "But one loss should not set the tone for the rest of the season. All streaks have to come to an end some way or another. It's how you bounce back that really matters.
"I extend my congratulations to Yuki; she earned it today."
On the other side of the Pacific, Haruhi Suzumiya ended Harlaown's winning streak dating back to last season with a stirring 1428-1345 victory. Harlaown, naturally was disappointed with the loss, but was gracious in defeat.
"Today the Brigade made it clear that they were the dominant side," said Harlaown. "I gave it my best shot. But I plan to rebound from this slip-up in a big way in the Amethyst phase."
"I'm definitely over the moon," said Suzumiya with a huge smile. "Yuki got the necklace, and I finished undefeated as well. And with Mikuru winning, it's been quite a way to close out Topaz for us."
Shana and Kyou Fujibayashi also finished the Topaz campaign without a defeat.
Shana outlasted Kagami Hiiragi in Cairo, 1497-1162. "I finished without a necklace...again," she said, "but without a defeat, either. So they even out."
Fujibayashi outdid Hinagiku Katsura in Shanghai, winning 1350-1183. "Well, I can take solace I finish the Topaz stage as the only CLANNAD competitors without any defeats. And my unbeaten run continues. So I'm pretty happy with how it turned out."
In other results, Tsukasa Hiiragi edged Rika Furude 1340-1198 in Tokyo, Maria routed Index L. Prohibitorum 1596-1106 in Mumbai, Sao Paulo saw Mei Sunohara close out her run with a 1571-1275 victory, Suiseiseki escaped Rena Ryuuguu's cleaver 1325-1279 in New York, and Lagos saw Marisa Kirisame win just her second ISML match, a 1273-1108 decision over Amu Hinamori.
Los Angeles witnessed Evangeline McDowell barely beat Alice Carroll 1206-1155, Nanoha Takamachi busted C.C. 1383-1137, Rin Tosaka was too good for Sakura Kinomoto 1598-1058 in Dhaka, and it was a Thrilla in Manila as Makoto Sawatari prevailed over Tamaki Kawazoe 1218-1202.
Illyasviel von Einzbern sent Berserker to take care business in a 1564-1262 beatdown of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Jakarta, Holo outraced Nagisa Furukawa 1504-1406 in Paris, Fuuko Ibuki had just a little more against Shinku with a 1506-1393 victory in Istanbul, and Nayuki Minase ran by Vita 1375-1249 in Moscow.
ayu Tsukimiya closed out her Topaz campaign with a 1456-1152 victory in London, Mikuru Asahina completed a SOS Brigade sweep with an easy 1678-986 victory over Yuuhi Katagiri in Lima, Tehran saw Konata Izumi's skill elude the effects of Kotomi Ichinose's violin in her 1335-1229 victory, and Ami Kawashima easily handled Kirino Chiba 1361-968 in Bangkok.
Bogota saw Anya Earlstreim score a 1222-1182 victory over Remilia Scarlet, Hanyuu Furude defeated Hayate Yagami in Kinshasa by the score of 1386-1322, Sayuri Kurata roughhoused Shiki Ryogi 1486-1129 in Santiago, Mai Kawasumi scored a businesslike 1502-818 win over Shiori Misaka in Toronto, and Reimu Hakurei doubled up Patchouli Knowledge, 1414-704, in Algiers.
Wrapping up the action in Topaz 9, Misuzu Kamio rolled over Aya Shameimaru, 1509-940 in Milan, Madrid saw Suigintou deal a 1454-1271 defeat to Nagi Sanzen'in, Taiga Aisawa romped all over Chii 1544-1113 in Sydney, Saber sliced and diced Mikoto Misaka 1830-920 in Santo Domingo to make it a clean sweep for Fate/Stay Night's representatives, and Akari Mizunashi scored her first victory in a while, pouncing on whipping girl Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1413-872 in Katowice.
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ISML Commisioner Minhtam Nguyen (minhtam1638) contributed to this report.