ISML 2010: The race for the Tiara begins!

ISML 2010: The race for the Tiara begins!

By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
September 7, 2010

On Sunday, September 5, 2010, the race for the 2010 International Saimoe League tiara began in earnest. Only one major upset was recorded, as most of the top seeds progressed. Africa, North Korea and Greenland was ineligible to vote in this contest.

In the 1 vs. 16 matchup, Shana rolled over Hitagi Senjougahara, 4221-3047. Shana carried every region that voted except for Eastern Europe, Russia (which voted 65.5% for Senjougahara) and Japan and Australia, whose votes were split. Shana's strongest votes came from the Philippines, with 64.8% of the vote.

The 8 vs. 9 matchup between Haruhi Suzumiya and Saber was not even close. She literally carried every region that voted en route to a 3966-3262 victory. Latin America was Suzumiya's strongest region, with 61.7% of the vote.

The 5 vs. 12 matchup between Taiga Aisaka and Nagi Sanzen'in was also a landslide, as Aisaka cruised to a 4156-2987 demolition. The only region Sanzen'in was able to carry was Thailand, with 54.9% of the vote. Aisaka's strongest contingent was Russia, with 69& of the vote.

In the 4 vs. 13 matchup, Mikoto Misaka left Nadeko Sengoku in the dust with a 4521-2617 thumping. Misaka carried every region. Russia was Misaka's strongest region, carrying 70.7% of the vote.

A battle of Sakuragaoka partners-in-crime in the 3 vs. 14 matchup saw Mio Akiyama cruise to victory over Yui Hirasawa, 4337-2573. Hirasawa was only able to win Japan, with 59.6% of the vote. This was in part due to her second-place finish last year in the 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament. Akiyama's strongest region was Russia, with 78.6% of the vote.

The 6 vs. 11 match between Yuki Nagato and Kyou Fujibayashi saw Nagato prevail 4026-3196. Fujibayashi was only able to carry Canada and AUstralia, with 57.4% and 53% of the vote, respectively. Nagato's strongest contingent came from Russia, with 73.6% of the votes there.

Azusa Nakano clobbered Tomoyo Sakagami in the 7 vs. 10 match 4199-3077. Sakagami was only able to carry Canada and China, with 56.9% and 50.5% of the votes respectively. Thailand was Nakano's stronghold, with 66.6% of the vote.

The 2 vs. 15 match saw defending ISML champion Hinagiku Katsura crush Kagami Hiiragi 4387-2819. Hiiragi was able to carry Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Russia, the latter with 69.6% of the vote. But lopsided victories in Thailand (72.9%), Taiwan (72.9%) and Asia and Australia as a whole (69.1% and 63.9%) proved to be the deciding factor.

Tiara Match Day 1 also featured a couple of special matches. The contest between Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome proved to be the disappointment of the day, as it has the lowest turnout. But those who voted went for Nome, 2478-2244. Lee had victories in the USA, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and Russia. However, significant margins in Thailand and the Philppines were more than enough to give Nome the victory.

In the matchup between Yuri Nakamura and Kanade Tachibana, it was Tenshi herself that rolled to victory in every region en route to a 4733-2105 blowout win. This was not even close. Tachibana won Canada with 71.2% of the vote, the USA with 68.7% of the vote, Indonesia with 79.7% of the vote, China with 70%, South Korea with 70.9%, Japan with 68.35, Hong Kong with 69.9%, Taiwan with 69.5%, Western Europe with 69.4% and Australia with 78.5%.  No question about it, Tachibana could be a lock to qualify for next year's ISML and may as well be a threat to the Tiara next season.

Match Day 2 in the 2010 International Saimoe League Tiara phase begins later today with the 2010 Winner's Bracket First Round. Vote online for your favorite candidates online and join the ongoing debate at InternationalSaimoe.com!