Asuna Yuuki takes Sapphire Circlet, Kanade Tachibana wins Diamond Circlet
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
September 15, 2014
Match Day 4 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Postseason concluded, and we have two circlet winners. Let's take a look at the action from Postseason 4; we had a slight delay in tabulating the votes, by the way.
NOVA DIVISION
Asuna Yuuki won the Sapphire Circlet as the Nova Division Champion, defeating Nanami Aoyama 4006-2930. Yuuki is one of two contestants in the ISML to win multiple honors this season, alongside Kanade Tachibana in the Stella Division. Yuuki won every region except for the USA, Russia and Philippines, all of which went to Aoyama.
"Winning the Emerald was a honor for me already, but to also add the Sapphire Circlet is an even bigger honor for me and will go down as my parting present in the Nova, since I will be in the Stella next year," Yuuki said. "Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this long and challenging season, you are all awesome in your own special way."
Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi was third after winning the closest race of the night: a 3273-3260 thriller over Yoshino, Kuroyukihime won fifth place after defeating Rikka Takanashi 3573-3229, Kurumi Tokisaki was seventh after prevailing over fellow Date A Live contestant Kotori Itsuka 3289-3082, Eru Chitanda was ninth after rolling past Azusa Azuki 3467-3040, Tohka Yatogami came in 11th after whipping past Yukino Yukinoshita 3428-3028, Shinka Nibutani finished in 13th place after a 3302-3206 barnburner over Kurousagi and Yaya was 15th after taking down Momo Velia Deviluke 3145-3004.
STELLA DIVISION
It was a closely-fought race, but Kanade Tachibana rode on big victories in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Africa, Indonesia and the United States to defeat Mikoto Misaka 3522-3503 and win the Diamond Circlet as Stella Division Champion. Misaka's biggest victories came in Russia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, but close victories in China and Japan factored into the higher margin.
"To all the voters in Korea and the USA, thank you for believing in my vision as the leader of a free Saimoe world," said Tachibana at a victory rally at Seoul's Soongnyemun. "The years may come and go, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. I want to also congratulate Mikoto on a well-fought match and wish her well in the League finals. I will not be surprised if our paths cross again, and it should."
Taiga Aisaka was third after drubbing Ayase Aragaki 3591-3250, defending ISML Champion Ruri Gokou came in fifth after running past Eucliwood Hellscythe 3586-3090, Mashiro Shiina was seventh after storming past Mio Akiyanma 4050-2705, Shana torched Kobato Hasegawa 3916-2779 tp claim ninth place, Azusa Nakano finished 11th after defeating Saber 3465-3261, Inori Yuzuriha came in 13th after thumping Yui-nyan 3728-2953 and Yuri Nakamura shot down Haruhi Suzumiya 3440-3150 to claim 15th place.
Match Day 5 of the 2014 International Saimoe League Postseason, the first day of the ISML League Finals, is scheduled for September 21, 2014. Vote at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate and be sure to keep it here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the 2014 edition of the International Saimoe League, still the world's premier anime character competition!