ISML 2010: Mio, Saber, Maria, Holo steamroll through Prelims

ISML 2010: Mio, Saber, Maria, Holo steamroll through Prelims

February 9, 2010

After four match days in Phase I of the 2010 International Saimoe League Preliminaries, a number of favorites gained separation from the rest of the groups.

Among the big winners was Mio Akiyama in Group 1. She earned 2,551 votes to annihilate Yuno and Felli Loss, who each managed just 604 and 525 votes respectively.
"It seems that with every victory I get closer and closer towards qualifying," Akiyama said on her win. "This is going to be a tough match with Kotomi [Ichinose] but I think I got this one."
Ichinose herself was a huge winner, tallying 1,817 votes to beat Shiki Ryogi and Yui Kotegawa handily. Ryogi got 994 votes, while Kotegawa took home 920. Also in Group 1, Mai Kawasumi defeated Kazari Uiharu 1,616-1,192. Natsuru Senou was third in that match with 812 votes.

Akiyama wasn't the only big winner in Match Day 4. Maria toppled Hisa Takei in Group 3 2,239-721. Hina-Ichigo was a distant third with 645 votes.
"One step closer," Maria said afterwards. "I know what I have to do."
Her biggest competition will most likely come from Mafuyu Shiina. She took down Misuzu Kusakabe 2,134-794, while Lambdadelta came in third with 567 votes.
Also victorious was Shizuku Sango. She scored a narrow 1,200-1,190 victory over Shion Sonozaki. Sayuri Kurata was a respectable third with 1,164 votes in a contest that was split almost evenly.

Holo was another big winner on the night. The Wise Wolf of Yoitsu swallowed up Kotone Kirishima 2,256-646 in what was another Group 6 mismatch. Yoko Littner managed just 620 votes in the one-wolf race. Minori Kushieda bumped Ikaros 1,535-1,380, while Tomoyo Daidouji scored 806 votes to finish third. And Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) defeated Souseiseki and Tsuruya in her match. Yami took home 1,577 votes, Souseiseki 1,058 and Tsuruya 1,037.

Saber became the prohibitive favorite to advance from Group 5 with an emphatic 2,504-796 slashing of Yin. Ranka Lee was third with 344 votes. Suigintou was all business in her match with Ayu Tsukimiya, prevailing 1,607-1,234. Nagi was third with 750 votes. And Nagisa Furukawa kept her bid for a return safe with a 1,887 victory over Chii. Ritsu Tainaka was a distant third with 899.

It was certain that it would be a clash between Hitagi Senjougahara and Nagi Sanzen'in for the automatic spot from Group 2. Sanzen'in routed Misuzu Kamio 2,038-920, with Asuka Langley Shikinami managing just 860 votes. Louise Fracoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Tsumugi Kotobuki 1,618-1,282 in her contest, while Eri Sawachika earned 859 votes to finish third.

In Group 4, the stage was set for a showdown between Kurimu Sakurano and Tsukasa Hiiragi. Sakurano, the Student Council President of Sapporo's Hekiyou Academy, thrashed Akari Kirishima 2,026-880. Lisa managed a measly 470 votes in the contest. Fredrica Bernkastel never stood much of a chance against Hiiragi, losing 995-1,811. Chihiro Shindou was third with 848 votes. Rena Ryuuguu defeated Alice 1,687-1,350 in her contest. Niche never stood a chance in the match, managing just 362 votes.
"I'm looking forward to the contest against Tsukasa," Sakurano said after the win. "She was a finalist in 2chan's tournament in 2008, and I think I can pull out something here."

In Group 7, Nadeko Sengoku, Fuuko Ibuki and Ui Hirasawa won their respective matches to set up a pivotal final round on Thursday.
Sengoku took out Eruruu 2,154-655 in her match. Akane Mishima never stood a chance, earning just 587 votes. Ibuki took down Miyako Miyamura 1,938-852 in her contest, while Suo Pavlichenko got just 753 votes. Hirasawa, the younger sister of automatic qualifier Yui, comes into her fourth round contest as the prohibitive underdog, defeating Ai Enma 1,537-1.162. Hayate Yagami was third with 1,001 votes.
"Fuuko hopes that the voters will vote for Fuuko," Ibuki said after the contest. "With your help, Fuuko will not lose."
"Fuuko has to be the favorite in my next match," Sengoku said. "It's going to take a lot of pressure off of me."
"I think of myself as an optimist," Hirasawa said on the upcoming match. "I hope to do well."

Like Ibuki in Group 7, Mei Sunohara comed into her showdown with Ayumu Nishizawa with the advantage. Beatrice, the Endless Witch, was no match for the younger brother of slacker Youhei Sunohara, losing 784-1,935. Kirino CHiba was shut out with 775 votes.
Nishizawa had a close match with Nymph, but did well enough to win 1,282-1,181. Koromo Amae's chances of qualifying in this phase were tanked, scoring just 1,021 votes.
"I was in the inaugural edition of the tournament," Nishizawa said. "To return to something like this is a dream. I hope to do well against Mei, but it won't be easy."
Also in Group 8, Yomi Isayama edges Mizore Shirayuki 1,232-1,133. Sawako Kuronuma was third with 866 votes.

Finally, the Group 9 showdown was set, with Nanoha Takamachi, Konata Izumi and C.C. winning their respective matches. Takamachi, the "White Devil" annihilated Setsuna Sakurazaki 1,843-902. Mayoi Hachikuji was third with 789 votes.
Izumi thumped Mikan Yuuki 1,992-1,138, while Maria Ushiromiya finished a distant third with 591 votes. C.C., the flagship girl from Code Geass, was all business in a 2,053-876 rout of Matsuri Shihou. Kaede Mizuno was third with 678 votes.

Voting continues today at 3:00 PM GMT. Fans can vote online at internationalsaimoe.com.