ISML 2009: Shana rolls on in Tiara Preliminary Round of Judgment
September 29, 2009
The 2009 International Saimoe League postseason went into full swing today with the Tiara Preliminary Round of Judgment and Relegation Round 1.
The Top 16 competitors at the end of the ISML 2009 Regular Season began their fight for the Tiara by being teleported to eight points far away from Planet Earth.
At Point Alpha, located 0.35 light years from Earth, top see Shana won a surprisingly close battle with Horo, 1981-1932. "I didn't expect the Wise Wolf of Yoitsu to be a tough cookie," she said in an interview, "but you have to give her credit for making this a match. The important thing is that I got the job done."
Point Beta is located 0.70 light years away. Here, #2 seeded Haruhi Suzumiya delivered a decisive 2125-1887 victory over Shinku. "I came into this phase facing a buzzsaw," Shinku said after the contest. "And she was ready."
Standing 1.05 light years away is Point Gamma, where #3 seed Tomoyo Sakagami pummeled Nanoha Takamachi 2095-1640. "Well, that's one less enemy to worry about," said Sakagami, "but I have a long ways yet to go, as do the rest of the others today."
Point Delta, located 1.40 light years away, a close match between Kyou Fujibayashi and Suiseiseki saw the Clannad #4 seed win 2003-1983. "She didn't sweep in 2006 without a reason," Fujibayashi said, "but this is 2009. Times change. Tastes change. And I defeated someone that allowed me to bring it."
Point Epsilon is located 1.75 light years away, and Suigintou was more successful in her preliminary round battle, defeating Mikuru Asahina 2265-1789. "If anyone thought that the weakest link of the so-called 'SOS Brigade' was going to make an impact," Suigintou said after the match, "they were in for a big surprise today. A REALLY big surprise."
At Point Zeta, located 2.10 light years away from Earth, Hinagiku Katsura took her anger out from being eliminated in the Anizone and 2chan tournaments by making Fate Testarossa Harlaown's title defense that much difficult in a 1949-1768 victory. "There will be a new champion," proclaimed Katsura. "Whether it will be me, we'll just have to find out. But I am moving in the right direction. And I did have to take the bad taste out of my mouth from my performance in Japan and Korea."
At Point Eta, located 2.45 light years away, Yuki Nagato prevailed 2053-1814 over Taiga Aisaka. "She was going to be a tough cookie," Aisaka admitted after the match. "I want to get my revenge if I face her in the semis or the final, assuming both of us make it that far."
At Point Theta, located 2.80 light years away, Rin Tosaka cruised past Kagami Hiiragi 1989-1772. "This was a great effort," Tosaka said after the match. "To defeat one of the strongest from Lucky Star is no small task. I want to keep the momentum going."
In other action, the relegation rounds took place at a number of the major cities. Mai Kawasumi defeated Mikoto Misaka 1774-1589 in Tokyo, Sayuri Kurata defeated Reimu Hakurei 1684-1572 in New york, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeatred Chii 1861-1626 in Buenos Aires, Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Nayuki Minase 1608-1576 in Cairo, Misuzu Kamio defeated Vita 1723-1545 in Moscow, Hayate Yagami defeated Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1673-1501 in London and Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Index L. Prohibitorum 1789-1529 in Sydney.
