BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 7

ARENA 01: Shameimaru Aya [Holo]

ARENA 02: [Suiseiseki] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 03: [Misaka Mikoto] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 04: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 05: [Yagami Hayate] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 06: Tsukimiya Ayu [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 07: Index Prohibitorum [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 08: Maria [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 09: [Kamio Misuzu] Nagi

ARENA 10: [Nagato Yuki] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 11: [Hiiragi Kagami] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 12: [Sunohara Mei] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 13: Kinomoto Sakura [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 14: Asahina Mikuru [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 15: [Kōzuki Kallen] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 16: Furude Hanyū [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 17: [C.C.] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 18: Sawatari Makoto [Furude Rika]

ARENA 19: Hinamori Amu [Suigintou]

ARENA 20: Remilia Scarlet [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 21: Anya Alstreim [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 22: [Katsura Hinagiku] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 23: Saber [Shana]

ARENA 24: [Ichinose Kotomi] Ibuki Fūko

ARENA 25: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Shinku

ARENA 26: Ryōgi Shiki [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 27: Kawasumi Mai [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 28: Alice Carroll [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 29: Chiba Kirino [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 30: [Furukawa Nagisa] Louise Vallière

ARENA 31: Chii [Vita]

ARENA 32: Ryūgū Rena [Aisaka Taiga]
ISML 2009: Hinagiku holds on to her lead in Diamond


August 29, 2009

Hinagiku Katsura is three wins away from getting the job done in winning the 2009 International Saimoe League Diamond necklace.

That is, if the others below her avoid overtaking her in the standings.

The kendo superstar from Hayate the Combat Butler defeated Rin Tosaka in a 1537-1463 thriller in Dhaka. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown defeated Nagisa Furukawa 1642-1450 in Manila.

Harlaown is one of six competitors chasing Katsura at the top of the standings. Another of those in the pack is overall league leader Shana, who torched Suiseiseki 1669-1541 in Mexico City.

SOS Brigade members Haruhi Suzumiya and Mikuru Asahina are also unbeaten. Asahina scored an easy 1963-1073 victory over Illyasviel von Einzbern in Toronto, while Suzumiya rolled past Rika Furude 1727-1471 in Bogota.

Shinku and Fuuko Ibuki also remain unbeaten. Shinku easily trounced Nayuki Minase 1824-922 in Tehran, while Ibuki had no problem disposing Chii 1851-961 in Santiago.

For the first time in a while, no series with more than one character earned a perfect day.

In other action...Mai Kawasumi defeated Reimu Hakurei 1515-1015 in Tokyo, Tamaki Kawazoe won the battle of Bamboo Blade participants 1050-828 in Mumbai, Remilia Scarlet defeated Nagi 1105-1063 in Sao Paulo, Kagami Hiiragi prevailed over younger sister Tsukasa 1536-1135 in New York, Konata Izumi defeated Rena Ryuuguu 1433-1243 in Shanghai and Konjiki no Yami burned Index L. Prohibitorum 1802-832 in Lagos.

Los Angeles saw Alice Carroll defeated Patchouli Knowledge 1044-853, Sayuri Kurata routed Anya Earlstreim 1556-1011 in Buenos Aires, Hanyuu Furude whipped past Misuzu Kamio 1633-1190 in Seoul, Suigintou rocked C.C. 1722-1359 in Karachi, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Mei Sunohara 1532-1379 in Cairo and Kyou Fujibayashi had enough to get by Nanoha Takamachi 1498-1333 in Jakarta.

Taiga Aisaka roared past Mikoto Misaka 1797-884 in Paris, Ayu Tsukimiya rolled past Shiori Misaka 1412-781 in Istanbul, Minori Kushieda stomped Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1664-904 in Moscow, Hayate Yagami won a 1100-1026 thriller over Evangeline McDowell in London, Horo chomped up Sakura Kinomoto 1843-1092 in Lima and Makoto Sawatari chopped down Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1320-793 in Bangkok.

Wrapping up action...Yuuhi Katagiri took down Aya Shameimaru 1226-754 in Kinshasa, Kotomi Ichinose sounded out Tomoyo Sakagami in an impressive 1467-1410 upset in Algiers, Nagi Sanzen'in scored an eyebrow-raising 1475-1448 decisionm over Yuki Nagato in Milan, Saber slashed past Ami Kawashima 1597-1370 in Madrid, Maria leveled Marisa Kirisame 1995-824 in Sydney, Vita scored an nailbiting 1094-1052 victory over Amu Hinamori in Santo Domingo and Shiki Ryogi defeated Akari Mizunashi 1126-894 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Kawasumi Mai] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 02: Suiseiseki [Shana]

ARENA 03: Chiba Kirino [Kawazoe Tamaki]

ARENA 04: Remilia Scarlet [Nagi]

ARENA 05: [Hiiragi Kagami] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 06: Ryūgū Rena [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 07: Index Prohibitorum [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 08: [Alice Carroll] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 09: Anya Alstreim [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 10: Kamio Misuzu [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 11: C.C. [Suigintou]

ARENA 12: [Katsura Hinagiku] Tōsaka Rin

ARENA 13: Furukawa Nagisa [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 14: [Sunohara Mei] Louise Vallière

ARENA 15: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 16: Misaka Mikoto [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 17: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 18: Kōzuki Kallen [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 19: [Yagami Hayate] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 20: Kinomoto Sakura [Holo]

ARENA 21: [Shinku] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 22: [Sawatari Makoto] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 23: Furude Rika [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 24: Chii [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 25: Shameimaru Aya [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 26: [Asahina Mikuru] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 27: Ichinose Kotomi [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 28: [Nagato Yuki] Sanzen'in Nagi

ARENA 29: Saber [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 30: [Maria] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 31: Hinamori Amu [Vita]

ARENA 32: [Ryōgi Shiki] Mizunashi Akari

ISML 2009: Hinagiku takes reins through Diamond 5

ISML 2009: Hinagiku takes reins through Diamond 5


August 27, 2009

Could Hinagiku Katsura do what Haruhi Suzumiya did at the inaugural International Saimoe League: win both the Ruby and Diamond necklaces?

After five matches in the 2009 ISML Diamond phase, Katsura is atop the leaderboard with a 1983-867 victory over Misuzu Kamio in Santiago, Chile. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown prevailed over Mei Sunohara 1627-1255 in Seoul, while overall league leader Shana never broke a sweat in dismissing Anya Earlstreim 2025-739 in Los Angeles.

The Rozen Maiden dolls claimed another sweep. Suigintou crushed Alice Carroll 1884-745 in Algiers, Shinku edged Nagi Sanzen'in 1513-1320 in Mexico City and Suiseiseki defeated Ami Kawashima 1642-1243 in Lagos.

Also claiming a sweep were the Higurashi girls, the SOS Brigade and the Lucky Star team.

Rena Ryuuguu chopped down Nagi 1665-784 in Buenos Aires, Rika Furude easily clobbered Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1954-545 in Sydney and Hanyuu Furude bowled over Remilia Scarlet 1584-727.

Haruhi Suzumiya blasted Nayuki Minase 1874-829 in Manila, Mikuru Asahina flattened Akari Mizunashi 1990-712 in Santo Domingo and Yuki Nagato had more than enough to level Reimu Hakurei 1606-1060 in Kinshasa.

Konata Izumi won a 1325-1296 thrillew over Mikoto Misaka in Bangkok, Kagami Hiiragi pounded Tamaki Kawazoe 1688-712 in Tokyo and Tsukasa Hiiragi trounced Shiki Ryogi 1788-774 in London.

In other action...C.C. defeated Vita 1513-1116 in Mumbai, Mai Kawasumi watched Patchouli Knowledge crumble 1704-676 in Sao Paulo, Kyou Fujibayashi killed Marisa Kirisame 1622-761 in New York, Rin Tosaka thumped Index L. Prohibitorum 1892-859 in Shanghai and Nanoha Takamachi busted Hayate Yagami in a battle of TSAB rivals 1630-688 in Karachi.

Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Shiori Misaka 1747-671 in Dhaka, Cairo saw Tomoyo Sakagami make turkey stuffing out of Chii 1828-850, Fuuko Ibuki left Amu Hinamori seeing stars 1766-822, Nagisa Furukawa laid the dango on Illyasviel von Einzbern 1558-1305 in Istanbul and Minori Kushieda stayed out of the drop zone with a 1564-808 victory over Kirino Chiba in Moscow.

Horo chomped up Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1906-650 in Tehran, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) silences Saber 1648-1199 in Bogota, Sakura Hinamoto defeated Yuuhi Katagiri 1399-1002 in Toronto and Maria scored an impressive 1600-1305 victory over Taiga Aisaka in Milan.

Wrapping up action...Sayuri Kurata slammed Aya Shameimaru 1615-628 in Madrid and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere chalked up a 1620-884 victory over Makoto Sawatari in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: DIamond Match Day 5

ARENA 01: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 02: Shinku [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 03: [C.C.] Vita

ARENA 04: [Kawasumi Mai] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 05: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 06: Index Prohibitorum [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 07: [Suiseiseki] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 08: Anya Alstreim [Shana]

ARENA 09: [Ryūgū Rena] Nagi

ARENA 10: Sunohara Mei [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 11: [Yagami Hayate] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 12: [Ichinose Kotomi] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 13: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Minase Nayuki

ARENA 14: Chii [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 15: Hinamori Amu [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 16: Tsukimiya Ayu [Evangeline McDowell]

ARENA 17: [Furukawa Nagisa] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 18: Chiba Kirino [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 19: Ryōgi Shiki [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 20: Remilia Scarlet [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 21: Kōzuki Kallen [Holo]

ARENA 22: Misaka Mikoto [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 23: [Saber] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 24: [Katsura Hinagiku] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 25: [Nagato Yuki] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 26: [Kinomoto Sakura] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 27: Alice Carroll [Suigintou]

ARENA 28: Maria [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 29: Shameimaru Aya [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 30: [Furude Rika] Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu

ARENA 31: [Asahina Mikuru] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 32: Sawatari Makoto [Louise Vallière]

ISML 2009: Taiga to the top, Mikuru and Rin keep it real on Diamond 4

ISML 2009: Taiga to the top, Mikuru and Rin keep it real on Diamond 4


August 25, 2009

Taiga Aisaka topped the 2009 International Saimoe League standings with a stirring 1699-1404 victory over Kyou Fujibayashi in Katowice. Mikuru Asahina and Rin Tosaka also claimed significant victories to stay near the top of the leaderboard with five more match days to go in the regular season.

Asahina toppled Tsukasa Hiiragi 1822-1233 in Dhaka, while in a bitter Bogota battle of Fate/Stay Night rivals it was the tsundere of the trio of representatives that triumphed over Saber, 1477-1302.

Overall league leader Shana never broke a sweat in dismissing Aya Shameimaru 2302-613 in Los Angeles. Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown bulldozed Makoto Sawatari 1841-783 in Paris.

The Time Space Administration Bureau claimed a sweep today, which is rare due to Vita being the weakest link throughout the course of the tournament. However, she pulled through against Alice Carroll, winning 1137-924 in Karachi. Hayate Yagami prevailed over Marisa Kirisame 1164-930 in Algiers and Nanoha Takamachi busted Ayu Tsukimiya 1569-1258.

Also claiming a sweep were the Hayate the Combat Butler team. Maria powered past Konata Izumi 1728-1379 in Seoul, Nagi Sanzen'in routed Nayuki Minase 1768-1171 in Cairo and Hinagiku Katsura blew apart Remilia Scarlet 2137-659 in Lagos.

The SOS Brigade had no problems with their perfect day-Yuki Nagato and Haruhi Suzumiya took part in predictable mismatches. Patchouli Knowledge was never safe in New York City, getting squashed by Nagato 1957-663, while all it took for Suzumiya to defeat Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga was a simple punch to the gut in a 2322-677 Buenos Aires laugher.

Finally, it wouldn't be the ISML without the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls sneaking by with a sweep or two, would it? Shinku flattened Reimu Hakurei 1800-817 in Istanbul, Suigintou tore down Mai Kawasumi 1782-1114 in Kinshasa and Suiseiseki defeated Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 1606-1233 in Santiago.

In other action...Nagisa Furukawa leveled Akari Mizunashi 1953-758 in Tokyo, Chii prevailed over Shiori Misaka 1262-1109 in Mexico City, Tomoyo Sakagami laid hell over Amu Hinamori 1958-834 in Mumbai, Fuuko Ibuki left C.C. seeing stars 1707-1406 in Sao Paulo and Shiki Ryogi defeated Tamaki Kawazoe 1074-988 in Shanghai.

Sayuri Kurata won a 1450-1364 thrilla in Manila over Sakura Kinomoto, Kagami Hiiragi defeated Minori Kushieda 1558-1274 in Jakarta, Kotomi Ichinose sounded out Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1820-874 in London, Hanyuu Furude outpaced Rena Ryuuguu in a battle of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni rivals 1495-1138 in Lima and Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Mei Sunohara 1598-1335 in Tehran.

Wrapping up action...Ami Kawashima pounced on Anya Earlstreim 1686-905 in Bangkok, Rika Furude had just enough to defeat Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1543-1390 in Toronto, Mikoto Misaka edged Nagi 1197-917 in Milan, Horo chomped up Kirino Chiba 2051-750 in Madrid, Yuuhi Katagiri prevailed over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1258-1005 in Sydney and Misuzu Kamio had more than enough to pummel Index L. Prohibitorum 1492-954 in Santo Domingo.

Chukyo survives scare to win high school title

Chukyo survives scare to win high school title


NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) Chukyodai Chukyo survived a ninth-inning scare in the final against Nihon Bunri on Monday to win its first national high school championship in 43 years and a record seventh overall.

The Aichi Prefecture powerhouse pulled out a 10-9 victory over the Niigata school after giving up five runs and facing the potential tying run on third base in the top of the ninth.

With Nihon Bunri trailing by one and runners on the corners with two outs in the ninth, a Naoki Wakabayashi line drive settled into the glove of third baseman Kanji Kawai at Koshien Stadium.

"We faced a stunning rally by Nihon Bunri in the ninth. My players stayed patient and managed to protect the lead," said Chukyo manager Toshiyuki Ofuji. "Our team scored a lot of runs throughout the tournament. It was a complete team effort."

The championship game appeared to be a one-man show by Shota Dobayashi until late in the contest.

The Chukyo pitcher and cleanup hitter had a two-run homer in the first and a tiebreaking two-run single in a six-run sixth that made it 8-2. An inning later, Chukyo extended the lead to 10-3.

But Dobayashi succumbed to Nihon Bunri's rally after retiring the first two batters of the ninth.

The first Niigata school to play the final in high school baseball's long history drew within 10-6 on back-to-back RBI extra-base hits off the right-hander.

A pair of singles off reliever Jumpei Morimoto drove in three more runs to make it 10-9.

Seven consecutive Nihon Bunri batters got on base before the final out. Four of them had hits with two walks and a hit-by-pitch.

In a post-game interview, Dobayashi did not look like a man on the winning team.

"I had a very hard time on the mound in the ninth," said a teary-eyed Dobayashi.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Furukawa Nagisa] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 02: [Chii] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 03: Hinamori Amu [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 04: C.C. [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 05: [Nagato Yuki] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 06: [Ryōgi Shiki] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 07: Remilia Scarlet [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 08: Shameimaru Aya [Shana]

ARENA 09: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 10: Maria [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 11: Alice Carroll [Vita]

ARENA 12: [Asahina Mikuru] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 13: [Kinomoto Sakura] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 14: Minase Nayuki [Sanzen'in Nagi]

ARENA 15: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 16: Sawatari Makoto [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 17: [Shinku] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 18: Tsukimiya Ayu [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 19: [Ichinose Kotomi] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 20: [Ryūgū Rena] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 21: [Sunohara Mei] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 22: Anya Alstreim [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 23: Saber [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 24: [Suiseiseki] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 25: Kawasumi Mai [Suigintou]

ARENA 26: [Furude Rika] Louise Vallière

ARENA 27: [Yagami Hayate] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 28: [Misaka Mikoto] Nagi

ARENA 29: Chiba Kirino [Holo]

ARENA 30: Kōzuki Kallen [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 31: [Index Prohibitorum] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 32: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Aisaka Taiga

ISML 2009: After a week of rest, it's back to action on Diamond 3

ISML 2009: After a week of rest, it's back to action on Diamond 3


August 22, 2009

A week of rest awaited the 64 contestants in the 2009 International Saimoe League before action restarted with Match Day 3 of the Diamond necklace phase.

Tsukasa Hiiragi rose to the top of the leaderboard. The youngest of the Hiiragi sisters turned the dango against Nagisa Furukawa in Cairo 1512-1400.

Overall league leader Shana had an easy time dismantling Sakura Kinomoto 1994-1049 in Lima. Defending ISML Champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown prevailed over Rika Furude in Santiago, 1554-1301.

The Toradora! girls claimed a sweep today. Taiga Aisaka ripped past Hayate Yagami 1755-958 in Shanghai, Ami Kawashima rolled past Aya Shameimaru 1706-751 in Bangkok and Shiki Ryogi was no match for Minori Kushieda, as the softball ace slammed home a 1611-904 victory in Algiers.

Also claiming a perfect outing on Match Day 3 were the girls from Fate Stay/Night. Illyasviel von Einzbern stomped Makoto Sawatari 1590-904 in Kinshasa, Saber slashed past Misuzu Kamio 1704-1199 in Lagos and Rin Tosaka had enough moxie to outlast Suiseiseki 1623-1536 in New York City.

In other action...Shinku cruised past Patchouli Knowledge 1870-696 in Tokyo, Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Konata Izumi 1773-1122 in a marqueee match in Mexico City, Suigintou left Yuki Nagato reeling 1570-1382 in Mumbai, Hinagiku Kataura slashed past Rena Ryuuguu 1710-1200 in Sao Paulo, Index L. Prohibitorum chalked up a 1420-890 victory over Remilia Scarlet in Los Angeles and Sayuri Kurata routed Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1559-951 in Buenos Aires.

Mikuru Asahina had no problem disposing Tamaki Kawazoe 2045-749 in Seoul, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere took out winless Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1842-691 in Karachi, Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Marisa Kirisame 1480-857 in Dhaka, Fuuko Ibuki left Alice Carroll seeing stars in a 1785-791 Manila beatdown, Horo won a thriller against Kagami Hiiragi 1380-1340 in Jakarta and it was not even close in Paris, as Hanyuu Furude crushed Mikoto Misaka 1515-902.

Mei Sunohara leveled Akari Mizunashi 1689-777 in Istanbul, Chii prevailed over Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1206-1011 in Moscow, Nanoha Takamachi busted Kotomi Ichinose 1522-1344 in London, Yuuhi Katagiri put the clamps on Kirino Chiba 1258-776 in Bangkok, Tomoyo Sakagami defeated C.C. 1666-1472 and Nayuki Minase scored a 1150-977 victory over Reimu Hakurei 1150-997.

Wrapping up action...Maria slammed Nagi 1950-702 in Milan, Amu Hinamori won a 1112-1103 thriller over Shiori Misaka in Madrid, konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) defeated Anya Earlstreim 1718-938 in Sydney, Mai Kawasume trounced Vita 1501-964 in Santo Domingo and Haruhi Suzumiya defeated Nagi Sanzen'in 1645-1396 in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 3

ARENA 01: [Shinku] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 02: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Izumi Konata

ARENA 03: [Nagato Yuki] Suigintou

ARENA 04: Ryūgū Rena [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 05: Suiseiseki [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 06: Yagami Hayate [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 07: [Saber] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 08: [Index Prohibitorum] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 09: Kōzuki Kallen [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 10: [Asahina Mikuru] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 11: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Louise Vallière]

ARENA 12: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 13: Alice Carroll [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 14: [Furukawa Nagisa] Hiiragi Tsukasa

ARENA 15: [Hiiragi Kagami] Holo

ARENA 16: Misaka Mikoto [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 17: [Sunohara Mei] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 18: [Chii] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 19: [Ichinose Kotomi] Takamachi Nanoha

ARENA 20: Kinomoto Sakura [Shana]

ARENA 21: Chiba Kirino [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 22: Shameimaru Aya [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 23: C.C. [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 24: Furude Rika [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 25: Sawatari Makoto [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 26: Minase Nayuki [Hakurei Reimu]

ARENA 27: Ryōgi Shiki [Kushieda Minori]

ARENA 28: [Maria] Nagi

ARENA 29: Hinamori Amu [Misaka Shiori]

ARENA 30: Anya Alstreim [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 31: [Kawasumi Mai] Vita

ARENA 32: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Sanzen'in Nagi

ISML 2009: More action from the Diamond phase

ISML 2009: More action from the Diamond phase


August 14, 2009

The 2009 International Saimoe League site may have gone down when Diamond match day 2 concluded, but the action continues.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown disposed of Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 2126-693 in Santo Domingo. Overall league leader Shana torched Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 2247-815 in Los Angeles.

A marquee matchup between rival Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls Shinku and SHigintou saw the Pure Ruby deny the Mercury Lamp in a 1641-1477 in Paris.

Claiming a sweep was the Hayate the Combat Butler! group. Maria cruised past Hanyuu Furude 1757-1247 in Cairo, Nagi Sanzen'in easily dusted off Reimu Hakurei 1858-860 in Madrid and Hinagiku Katsura bowled past Mikoto Misaka 1962-777 in London.

Also securing a perfect day were the girls of Lucky Star and the SOS Brigade.

Konata Izumi chalked up a 1520-1330 victory over Hayate Yagami in Santiago, Chile, Kagami Hiiragi flattened Yuuhi Katagiri 1703-925 in Shanghai and Tsukasa Hiiragi prevailed over Mei Sunohara 1625-1418 in Bogota.

Haruhi Suzumiya disposed of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1719-1415 in Toronto, Yuki Nagato tore apart Vita 1863-1082 in Katowice and Bangkok witnessed Mikuru Asahina rout Minori Kushieda 1843-1196.

In other action...Rena Ryuuguu chopped down Index L. Prohibitorum 1743-915 in Tokyo, Tomoyo Sakagami didn't break a sweat in dismission Alice Carroll 2144-795 in Mexico City, a thriller in Mumbai saw Evangeline A.K. McDowell edge Ami Hinamori by the skin of her teeth 1111-1103, C.C. blasted Shiori Misaka 1989-933 in Sao Paulo and Horo chomped up Shiki Ryogi 1943-827.

Taiga Aisaka roared past Ayu Tsukimiya 1831-1216 in Lagos, Nanoha Takamachi busted Chii 1719-1100 in Buenos Aires, Suiseseki cruised past Misuzu Kamio 1857-1090 in Seoul, Karachi saw Sayuri Kurata take out Kirino Chiba 1633-802, Makoto Sawatari prevailed over Akari Mizunashi 1169-998 in Dhaka, Fuuko Ibuki left Mai Kawasumi seeing stars 1799-1064 in Jakarta and Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) didn't have any problem in leveling Aya Shameimaru 1909-661 in Istanbul.

Wrapping up action...Rin Tosaka rolled past Aya Earlstreim 1870-935 in Moscow, Kotomi Ichinose sounded off Marisa Kirisame 1891-805 in Lima, Rika Furude defeated Illyasviel von Einzbern 1586-1354 in Kinshasa, Nayuki Minase thumped Patchouli Knowledge 1563-822 in Algiers, Nagisa Furukawa thumped Tamaki Kawazoe 1915-778 in Milan and Saber slashed past Remilia Scarlet 1911-791 in Sydney.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 2

ARENA 01: [Ryūgū Rena] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 02: Alice Carroll [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 03: Hinamori Amu [Evangeline McDowell]

ARENA 04: [C.C.] Misaka Shiori

ARENA 05: Ryōgi Shiki [Holo]

ARENA 06: [Hiiragi Kagami] Katagiri Yūhi

ARENA 07: Tsukimiya Ayu [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 08: Kōzuki Kallen [Shana]

ARENA 09: Chii [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 10: [Suiseiseki] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 11: Chiba Kirino [Kurata Sayuri]

ARENA 12: [Sawatari Makoto] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 13: Kinomoto Sakura [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 14: Maria [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 15: Kawasumi Mai [Ibuki Fūko]

ARENA 16: Shinku [Suigintou]

ARENA 17: Shameimaru Aya [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 18: Anya Alstreim [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 19: Misaka Mikoto [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 20: [Ichinose Kotomi] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 21: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Nagi

ARENA 22: [Asahina Mikuru] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 23: Sunohara Mei [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ARENA 24: Yagami Hayate [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 25: [Furude Rika] Illyasviel von Einzbern

ARENA 26: Louise Vallière [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 27: [Minase Nayuki] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 28: [Furukawa Nagisa] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 29: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 30: [Saber] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 31: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 32: [Nagato Yuki] Vita

ISML 2009: Countdown to Tiara looms with Diamond phase

ISML 2009: Countdown to Tiara looms with Diamond phase


August 11, 2009

The playoff picture for the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara double-elimination tournament continues to become crystal clear. Crystal-clear like the diamonds that bedeck its wondrous crown.

And that leads to one question before the big question: who will win the Diamond necklace?

The current holder is Haruhi Suzumiya, who bounced back from two straight defeats in the Ruby stage to thump Reimu Hakurei in Dhaka, Bangladesh by the score of 2063-1117.

Defending champions Fate Testarossa Harlaown beat Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 1735-1320 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Mikuru Asahina and Taiga Aisaka secured big victories in a couple of marquee matchups.

Asahina edged Horo 1612-1540 in Sydney, Australia while Aisaka slashed past Kotomi Ichinose 1754-1355 in Moscow, Russia.

Overall league leader Shana rose to the top of the leaderboard with a 2246-678 drubbing of Kirino Chiba in Kinshasa, Congo DR.

Claiming a sweep were the Rozen Maiden Alice dolls and Fate/Stay Night candidates.

On the Rozen Maiden side, Suigintou overcame Nayuki Minase 1930-1130 in Mexico City, Mexico. Suiseiseki rolled past Remilia Scarlet 1843-938 in Santiago, Chile and Shinku let all hell loose on Vita, winning 1866-893 in Karachi, Pakistan.

The girls from the TYPE-MOON classic got their sweep in impressive fashion. Saber's sword was better than Rena Ryuuguu's billhook in a 1696-1339 rout in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rin Tosaka had no problem dismissing Aya Shameimaru 2150-740 in London, UNited KIngdom, and neither did Illyasviel von Einzbern in crushing Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, who is doomed to end her ISML campaign with the wooden spoon 1988-541 in Manila, Philippines.

Also claiming a sweep were the Lucky Star girls. In Katowice, Poland, Tsukasa Hiiragi cruised past Makoto Sawatari 1942-892. Konata Izumi prevailed over Ayu Tsukimiya 1536-1324 in Paris and Kagami Hiiragi routed Sayuri Kurata 1661-1270 in New York, USA.

In other Diamond action...Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Hanyuu Furude 1616-1332 in Tokyo, Japan, Hinagiku Katsura outpaced Maria 1892-1058 in Mumbai, India, Nanoha Takamachi busted Amu Hinamori 1427-1206 in Sao Paulo, Brazil the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai saw Rika Furude lay the kimchi on Akari Mizunashi 1879-791, Mikoto Misaka got the best of Index L. Prohibitorum in a battle of To Aru Majutsu no Index girls 1176-931 in Lagos, Nigeria and Fuko Ibuki won a thrilling 1622-1606 victory in Los Angeles, USA.

Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) kept her hopes for remaining in the tournament alive with a 1773-1182 victory over Sakura Kinomoto in Seoul, South Korea, Ami Kawashima cruised past KAllen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1765-910 in Cairo, Egypt, the Indonesian capital of Jakarta saw Shiori Misaka beat Alice Carroll 1463-1172 and Misuzu Kamio tore down Anya Earlstreim 1599-1052 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Shiki Ryogi 1198-1029 in Lima, Nagisa Furukawa won a nail-biter over Minori Kushieda 1555-1528 in Tehran, Marisa Kirisama scored an impressive win over Chii 1257-1226 in Bangkok, Thailand, Mei Sunohara was all businees against Tamaki Kawazoe in a 1812-787 beatdown in Bogota, Colombia and Nagi Sanzen'in never broke a sweat in breaking Patchouli Knowledge 1772-660 in Toronto.

Wrapping up action...Tomoyo Sakagami roundhoused Mai Kawasumi 1894-1077 in Milan, Italy, C.C. cruised past Evangeline McDowell 1804-918 in Algiers, Algeria, and Hayate Yagami moved down Nagi in Madrid 1270-1037

ISML 2009: Top 16 after Ruby necklace phase
















Stay tuned for the first article of the Diamond phase!

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Diamond Match Day 1

ARENA 01: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 02: Minase Nayuki [Suigintou]

ARENA 03: Maria [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 04: Hinamori Amu [Takamachi Nanoha]

ARENA 05: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kurata Sayuri

ARENA 06: [Furude Rika] Mizunashi Akari

ARENA 07: [Misaka Mikoto] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 08: [Nagato Yuki] Ibuki Fūko

ARENA 09: Louise Vallière [Fate Testarossa]

ARENA 10: Kinomoto Sakura [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 11: [Shinku] Vita

ARENA 12: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Hakurei Reimu

ARENA 13: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Illyasviel von Einzbern]

ARENA 14: Kōzuki Kallen [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 15: Alice Carroll [Misaka Shiori]

ARENA 16: Tsukimiya Ayu [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 17: Anya Alstreim [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 18: Ichinose Kotomi [Aisaka Taiga]

ARENA 19: Shameimaru Aya [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 20: Ryōgi Shiki [Katagiri Yūhi]

ARENA 21: [Furukawa Nagisa] Kushieda Minori

ARENA 22: [Chii] Kirisame Marisa

ARENA 23: [Sunohara Mei] Kawazoe Tamaki

ARENA 24: [Suiseiseki] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 25: Chiba Kirino [Shana]

ARENA 26: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Patchouli Knowledge

ARENA 27: [C.C.] Evangeline McDowell

ARENA 28: Kawasumi Mai [Sakagami Tomoyo]

ARENA 29: [Yagami Hayate] Nagi

ARENA 30: [Asahina Mikuru] Holo

ARENA 31: [Saber] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 32: Sawatari Makoto [Hiiragi Tsukasa]

ISML 2009: Hinagiku takes the Ruby

ISML 2009: Hinagiku takes the Ruby

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
August 8, 2009

HInagiku Katsura knew what she needed to do...and she got it done.

The slashing supperstar from Hayate the Combat Butler won her first International Saimoe League necklace, nullifying enough of Tomoyo Sakagami's kicks to win a thriller in Madrid, 1697-1663.

After the end of the fight, a number of banners that were raised in the air had messages supporting Katsura such as, "Hina all the way!", "It's Giku time!", "Hina is in!", "The pride of Hakuou has arrived!" and "HINA GA DAISUKI!!!".

"Everyone, thank you for coming today," said Katsura at the victory rally, surrounded by Hayate Ayasaki, Nagi Sanzen'in (who defeated Sakura Kinomoto 1965-1293 in nearby Milan), Maria (who completed a Hayate sweep with a 1864-1334 dusting of Illyasviel von Einzbern in Seoul), Isumi Saginomiya (who was prograssing in the 2chan and Anizone Saimoe tournaments), Sakuya Aizawa, Miki Hanabishi (who also progressed at the 2chan Saimoe tournament), her older sister Yukiji, Risa Asakaze, Izumi Segawa, Ayumu Nishizawa, Saki Kijima, Wataru Tachibana, Klaus Seishirou and Tama.

"This victory means a lot to me," she said, with a tear in her eye, and a smile that shined like the sun over the Spanish capital. "I've never won anything major like this in my life. It really means a lot," she continued, crying, holding her necklace.


"Hina-chan, ¡te amo!" exclaimed a fan in the front.

"Te amo tambien. I love you too," she replied with a wink through her tears. The fan fainted, close to dying of moe.

The crowd chanted "HINA! HINA! HINA!' before she continued with her victory speech.

"As always, I want to thank many people. I want to thank the people here on this stage with me. Hayate, Nagi, Maria, Sakuya, Miki, Risa, Yukiji my dear onee-chan, Wataru, Saki, Sakuya, Isumi, Izumi, Ayumu, Klaus, Tama, and everyone else I have met at Hakuou: you are awesome. You rock."

"Yep, we sure do," said Risa with an affirmative nod. Everyone else nodded in approval.

"But most of all, all of you in the audience, all the voters who voted today, you made it possible," Katsura said, "and I thank each and every one of you, here in the wonderful city of Madrid, and around the world."

"Hinagiku-san, would you like to sing your song for us?" asked Hayate.

"Yeah, sing it, sing it!" exclaimed Sakuya.

"Oh dear, here we go," said Nagi.

"Ara ara," replied Maria.

"Ah, mou! All right," she said before belting out a stirring rendition of her songs: "Do my Best!", "I miss You" and "Honjitsu Mankai Watashi iro!". Ayasaki led the cheers in the latter number.

"Give credit to Hinagiku, she deserved the Ruby," said Sakagami at her press conference. "But I already won a necklace, so I guess it was a fair outcome.

"The old saying goes, 'You can't win them all.' So we will press on."

Shana, meanwhile, consolidated her spot at the top of the overall leaderboard with a 1967-1541 victory over Haruhi Suzumiya in Lima, Peru.

"We were facing a no-win situation when it came to Katsura taking down Sakagami," the current holder of the Sapphie necklace said, eating her 27th loaf of melon bread at the tournament (according to her count). "But I knew I could still finish the campaign undefeated. And that was what I did.

"The objective now is to prove Fate's theory that if you finish first in the regular season, you should be able to win the Tiara. We still have one necklace to go, and I look forward to finishing off the regular season on the right foot."

The wheels seems to be falling off a little bit too early for Suzumiya. However, she was unfazed by the latest string of defeats.

"The important thing is I snap out of this dry spell," she said after her loss to Shana. "I want to defend my Diamond necklace, but I am going to have to overcome a challenge from Yuki [Nagato]. It will be an uphill battle, but I am on the lookout for new challenges forthcoming, and this one will be no different."

Nagato herself also finished the Ruby campaign without a loss, defeating Kagami Hiiragi 1896-1357 in Cairo.

"I knew that based on my calculations, I would not receive the necklace," she said at her press conference. "But I am content with going through the Ruby phase without a defeat. I look forward to the Diamond phase with a clear purpose and a sense of resolve."

Also finishing the phase unbeaten was Suigintou, who was too good for Suiseiseki in a 1825-1480 victory in Buenos Aires.

"I was disappointed that I was facing heavy odds to win this necklace, but no losses is better that nothing. Bring on the Diamond stage."

Defending ISML champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown scored an impressive 1725-1465 victory over Kyou Fujibayashi in Sydney.

In addition to the Hayate crew, the girls of Toradora! also claimed a sweep.

Taiga Aisaka kept her win streak going, roaring pase Marisa Kirisame 2114-895 in Katowice. Minori Kushieda stayed alive for returning to the tournament next year with a 1774-1416 victory over Misuzu Kamio in Mumbai and Ami Kawashima was all business in a 1765-1351 win over Sayuri Kurata in Istanbul.


In other action...Tsukasa Hiiragi prevailed over Rena Ryuuguu 1777-1595 in Tokyo, Nayuki Minase was too much for Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in a 1783-1093 rout in Mexico City, Mei Sunohara claked up a 1892-1016 victory over Amu Hinamori in Sao Paulo, New York City saw Evangeline A.K. MCDowell take down Nagi 1385-1177 and Mikuru Asahina was all business in a 2359-922 beatdown in Shanghai.

In a battle of Touhou Project characters, Reimu Hakurei rolled past Aya Shameimaru 1378-742 in Lagos, Tamaki Kawazoe scored a rare win-a 1359-1090 decision over Remilia Scarlet in LOs Angeles, Shinku whipped Kirino Chiba 2016-870 in Karachi, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere knocked down Hayate Yagami 1693-1213 in Dhaka, Anya Earlsteim defeated Patchouli Knowledge 1400-997 in Manila and Chii tore down Makoto Sawatari 1449-1125 in Jakarta.

Fuuko Ibuki left Index L. Prohibitorum seeing stars 2014-901 in Paris, Hanyuu Furude easily crushed Shiori Misaka 1764-1042 in Moscow, London saw Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) chalk up a 1753-909 victory in London, Rika Furude scored a 1788-1466 upset over Kotomi Ichinose in Tehran, Saber slashed Vita 1989-968 in Bangkok and Ayu Tsukimiya easily pummeled Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga 1938-743 in Bogota.

Wrapping up Ruby action...Nanoha Takamachi busted Konata Izumi 1682-1411, C.C. prevailed over Nagisa Furukawa 1825-1550 in Toronto, Rin Tosaka slienced Horo 1664-1561 in Algiers and Mai Kawasumi slashed past Shiki Ryogi 1694-1056 in Santo Domingo.

The final necklace that will be contested prior to the 2009 ISML Tiara postseason tournament will be the Diamond necklace. Suzumiya is the defending necklace champion. Voting begins MOnday, August 10, 2009.

CURRENT STANDINGS AFTER ISML 2009 RUBY:

1. Shana 53-1 (159 pts) (SAP)
2. Tomoyo Sakagami 51-3 (153 pts) (AQ)
3. Haruhi Suzumiya 51-3 (153 pts)
4. Kyou Fujibayashi 49-5 (147 pts)
5. Yuki Nagato 49-5 (147 pts) (TOP)
6. Suigintou 48-6 (144 pts) (AME)
7. Fate Testarossa Harlaown 48-6 (144 pts) (C)
8. Rin Tosaka 45-9 (135 pts)
9. Kagami Hiiragi 44-10 (132 pts)
10. Taiga Aisaka 44-10 (132 pts)
11. Hinagiku Katsura 43-11 (129 pts) (RUB)
12. Suiseiseki 42-12 (126 pts) (EM)
13. Nanoha Takamachi 42-12 (126 pts)
14. Mikuru Asahina 41-13 (123 pts)
15. Horo 40-14 (120 pts)
16. Kotomi Ichinose 40-14 (120 pts)

(C) Defending ISML Champion
(AQ) Aquamarine necklace holder
(TOP) Topaz necklace holder
(AME) Amethyst necklace holder
(SAP) Sapphire necklace holder
(EM) Emerald necklace holder
(RUB) Ruby necklace holder
(DIA) Diamond necklace holder

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Ruby Match Day 9

ARENA 01: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Ryūgū Rena

ARENA 02: [Minase Nayuki] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 03: [Kushieda Minori] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 04: [Sunohara Mei] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 05: [Evangeline McDowell] Nagi

ARENA 06: Alice Carroll [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 07: [Hakurei Reimu] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 08: [Kawazoe Tamaki] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 09: [Suigintou] Suiseiseki

ARENA 10: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Maria]

ARENA 11: [Shinku] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 12: [Louise Vallière] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 13: Patchouli Knowledge [Anya Alstreim]

ARENA 14: [Nagato Yuki] Hiiragi Kagami

ARENA 15: Sawatari Makoto [Chii]

ARENA 16: [Ibuki Fūko] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 17: Kurata Sayuri [Kawashima Ami]

ARENA 18: Misaka Shiori [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 19: Katagiri Yūhi [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 20: Suzumiya Haruhi [Shana]

ARENA 21: Furude Rika [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 22: Vita [Saber]

ARENA 23: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 24: Mizunashi Akari [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 25: [Takamachi Nanoha] Izumi Konata

ARENA 26: [Furukawa Nagisa] C.C.

ARENA 27: [Holo] Tōsaka Rin

ARENA 28: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 29: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Katsura Hinagiku

ARENA 30: [Fate Testarossa] Fujibayashi Kyō

ARENA 31: [Kawasumi Mai] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 32: Kirisame Marisa [Aisaka Taiga]

ISML 2009: Holy smokes, it's a Taiga of an Upset!

ISML 2009: Holy smokes, it's a Taiga of an Upset!


August 7, 2009

There will be a new Ruby necklace holder.

It sent shock waves throughout the International Saimoe League today. In match day 8 of the 2009 Ruby necklace phase, Haruhi Suzumiya's defense of her necklace ended at the hands of Taiga Aisaka.

The upstart from Toradora! scored the biggest victory of her ISML career, a 1558-1533 upset over the leader of the SOS Brigade in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

"Give credit to Taiga, she is as good an opponent as you will see," said Suzumiya after the match. "You can never underestimate a number of these new faces to the ISML. The rest of the opponents she will face will be on their heels."

"My goal here was to make a point that in a competition as intense as this, anyone can beat anyone," a smug Aisaka said at the post-match conference. "We are ready to finish this regular season on the right note."

Hinagiku Katsura rode on the wings of a Hayate the Combat Butler sweep to arrive on the doorstep of her first ISML necklace.

Katsura defeated Shiori Misaka 1890-832 in Seoul, while Maria disposed of Akari Mizunashi 2083-759 in Buenos Aires and Nagi Sanzen'in easily defeated Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 1891-807 in Tehran.

A victory over also-unbeated Tomoyo Sakagami will all but end the math. Sakagami had little difficulty in pummeling Index L. Prohibitorum 2056-825 in Tokyo. However, a victory by Tomoyo does not guarantee that she will finish first. She is currently seventh in the overall standings.

Kotomi Ichinose has an easier chance of finishing unbeaten, but she will need to thoroughly overcome Rika Furude.

The baby-faced violin assassin sent Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga flying in a 2000-618 rout in Bangkok. Furude herself defeated Chii 1707-992 in Lagos.

Shana, who consolidates her overall standing as the league leader, torched Ami Kawashima 1954-1175 in London.

While the match between Shana and Haruhi has now become anticlimactic, Haruhi will have an excellent opportunity to knock the fiery-eyed tsuderekko out of contention. At the same time, a victory by Shana could put her in contention to steal the Ruby from Kotomi and Hinagiku.

Yuki Nagato and Suigintou each face long odds at winning the Ruby, but have an excellent shot at going through the phase unbeaten.

Nagato cuised to a 1767-792 victory over Shiki Ryogi in Bogota. The winner of this year's Topaz necklace will look to add to her impressive slate of results when she faces Kagami Hiiragi, who lost to Shinku 1769-1335 in Toronto.

Suigintou herself was too powerful for already-eliminated Anya Earlstreim 1901-960 in Sydney. Her win added to what was an easy Rozen Maiden sweep, as Suiseiseki performed garbage duty against Vita, 1911-838 in New York City.

Furude's victory was part of another sweep: that of the Higurashi girls. Rena Ryuuguu tossed aside Tamaki Kawazoe 1617-813 in Moscow and Hanyuu Furude was rarely troubled by Evangeline A.K. McDowell, prevailing 1623-966 in Karachi.

In a battle of fellow Time Space Administration Bureau members, defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown and Bardiche Assault overpowered Hayate Yagami and Reinforce Zwei, blowing them out 1917-623 in Los Angeles.

In other action...C.C. was all business in a 1716-1311 rout of Mei Sunohara, Mikuru Asahina and her beam overpowered Mai Kawasumi's swordsmanship 1962-1102 Rin Tosaka knocked Yuuhi Katagiri's lights out 1877-999 in Sao Paolo, Nagisa Furukawa made her intentions for a late-season push clear with a 1882-796 drubbing of Alice Carroll in Shanghai and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere got past Ayu Tsukimiya 1539-1367 in Dhaka.

A genuine Thrilla in Manila saw Amu Hinamori claim victory over Makoto Sawatari 1111-1078, Kyou Fujibayashi prevailed over Illyasviel von Einzbern 1483-1313 in Cairo, Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) crushed Sayuri Kurata 1824-1016 in Jakarta, Paris witnessed a Patchouli Knowledge win a rare battle-a 1206-764 thumping of Aya Shameimaru, Nayuki Minase cruised past Kirino Chiba 1514-825 in Istanbul and Fuuko Ibuko left Saber seeing stars in a 1705-1345 beatdown in Lima.

Wrapping up action...Konata Izumi lynched Marisa Kirisame 1554-1160 in Kinshasa, Nanoha Takamachi busted Nagi 1779-835 in Algiers, Horo chomped up Misuzu Kamio 1828-1076 in Milan, Minori Kushieda tore down Remilia Scarlet 1593-892, Tsukasa Hiiragi shredded Mikoto Misaka 1762-1004 in Santo Domingo, and Katowice saw Sakura Kinomoto outwit Reimu Hakurei in a battle of clow cards and ofuda 1475-1280.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Ruby Match Day 8

ARENA 01: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 02: [Sunohara Mei] C.C.

ARENA 03: Kawasumi Mai [Asahina Mikuru]

ARENA 04: Katagiri Yūhi [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 05: Vita [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 06: [Furukawa Nagisa] Alice Carroll

ARENA 07: [Furude Rika] Chii

ARENA 08: [Fate Testarossa] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 09: Mizunashi Akari [Maria]

ARENA 10: Misaka Shiori [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 11: Evangeline McDowell [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 12: Louise Vallière [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 13: [Sawatari Makoto] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 14: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 15: Kurata Sayuri [Konjiki no Yami]

ARENA 16: [Patchouli Knowledge] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 17: [Minase Nayuki] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 18: Kawazoe Tamaki [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 19: [Shana] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 20: [Ibuki Fūko] Saber

ARENA 21: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 22: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 23: [Nagato Yuki] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 24: Aisaka Taiga [Suzumiya Haruhi]

ARENA 25: Kirisame Marisa [Izumi Konata]

ARENA 26: Shinku [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 27: [Takamachi Nanoha] Nagi

ARENA 28: [Holo] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 29: [Kushieda Minori] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 30: [Suigintou] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 31: [Hiiragi Tsukasa] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 32: Hakurei Reimu [Kinomoto Sakura]

The Aquino Legacy Is Peaceful Regime Change

By PAUL WOLFOWITZ

Corazon Aquino, who died of cancer Saturday at the age of 76, will be remembered as the surprisingly tough “housewife” who forced a dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, to leave office after his attempt to steal an election. But she also deserves to be remembered as the leader of the first “People Power” revolution. Her success strengthened U.S. confidence in what was then a new policy of promoting peaceful democratic change, a policy that remains relevant today.

Marcos ruled the Philippines for 21 years, nine of them under martial law. Initially hailed as a reformer, his regime became progressively more tyrannical, corrupt and incompetent, particularly as his health deteriorated and he became dependent on his wife and on the cronies he promoted solely based on loyalty.

Some U.S. officials in the mid-1980s defended Marcos on the grounds that “there’s no real alternative” (though not, as often claimed, because “at least he’s our son of a bitch”). Embassy officials said that the Philippine opposition was weak and expected the U.S. government to do their work for them. But that ignored the fact that continued U.S. support for Marcos was itself discouraging opposition.

Marcos himself was happy to encourage the belief that U.S. support made opposition to him futile. At the same time, he actively eliminated viable alternatives, refusing to name a vice president and jailing or exiling his democratic opponents—most prominently Mrs. Aquino’s husband, Benigno.

Everything changed on Aug. 21, 1983, with the murder in broad daylight of Benigno Aquino as he emerged from the aircraft that had returned him from exile in the U.S. That event transformed Corazon Aquino into the leader of an opposition movement that eventually forced Marcos from power. And it reinforced a change in U.S. policy that would have far-reaching consequences in places as far removed as Chile and South Korea.

The U.S. began to press Marcos for political, economic and military reform. The Reagan administration debated whether this pressure might lead to something worse, as in Iran and Nicaragua during the previous administration. But in the end, the conclusion was that it would be more dangerous if Marcos continued on his current course, which was playing into the hands of a brutal insurgency. As a result, U.S. pressure for reform became stronger and increasingly public over the course of the next two years. Finally, in November 1985, Marcos announced on American television that he was calling a snap election for the following February, hoping to gain a popular mandate that would enable him to deflect U.S. pressure.

Marcos calculated that the deeply divided opposition would split its vote among two or more candidates, permitting him to claim a relatively clean victory. He could not foresee that Mrs. Aquino, dismissed by critics as “just a plain housewife,” would manage to unite the opposition around a single ticket, forcing her main opponent to sign on as her running mate. As a consequence, Marcos had to resort to massive fraud to steal the election. When he moved to arrest some of his own associates on suspicion of disloyalty, more than a million people gathered to block the arrests, displaying the yellow ribbons that had come to symbolize Benigno Aquino and his widow.

The White House warned Marcos against “attempts to prolong the life of the present regime by violence.” Meanwhile, President Reagan’s friend and personal envoy, Sen. Paul Laxalt, reinforced the message in a direct phone call, telling Marcos that it was “time to cut, and cut cleanly.” In the end, Marcos refrained from using violence to break up the demonstrations and instead boarded a U.S. Air Force plane on Feb. 25, 1986, and headed to exile in Hawaii.

While U.S. influence was significant in bringing about this remarkable peaceful transition, the courage of the Philippine people and Corazon Aquino’s leadership were the real impetus. The U.S. helped, not by forcing or imposing an outcome, but by withholding support for Marcos, thus empowering Philippine democrats.

Success in the Philippines encouraged the Reagan administration to continue pressing for democratic reform elsewhere, not only with hostile regimes like the Soviet Union but with “friendly” authoritarians as well. The experience gave the administration confidence that political change did not have to end in violence and disaster. The peaceful democratic transition in the Philippines in 1986 was soon followed by the administration’s decision the following year to persuade President Chun Du-hwan of South Korea to step down and allow direct elections. And it affected U.S. policy in places far beyond East Asia.

The years following the triumph of People Power witnessed a series of remarkable peaceful transitions, in places as diverse as the Soviet Union and Chile, Romania and South Korea, Taiwan and South Africa. The trend continues today despite the resistance of authoritarian rulers (witness Iran’s “Green Revolution”) and some regression on the part of democracies. While these results always depend principally on the people of the individual countries, some credit goes to Corazon Aquino for showing the way and for encouraging a U.S. policy of support for democratic reform. One hopes that U.S. policy continues in this vein and has not returned to a “realist” approach that minimizes the importance of peaceful democratic reform.

President Aquino’s record in office was less distinguished than her record as leader of the opposition. The country today is still a long way from the success that could be expected of a population that is so energetic, hard working and generally well educated. Some people have even become nostalgic for what they now remember as the strong leadership of Ferdinand Marcos.

What they forget is how far Marcos had departed from the promise of his early years in office, and how rapidly he was taking the Philippines down a dangerous path. One of the most notable aspects of the Aquino transition was the spirit of reconciliation that she brought to her office. Despite her personal suffering and mistreatment at the hands of the Marcos regime, she was not vengeful. Nor did she dwell on resentment of past U.S. support for her antagonist. As one of the first senior U.S. officials to meet with Mrs. Aquino, during a visit to Manila in January 1985, I was surprised to encounter no recriminations, only a warm welcome for the new U.S. policy. It was left to Marcos’s spokesman to criticize this meeting with an opposition leader as “interfering in Philippine internal affairs.” That’s what tyrants will always say.

---

Mr. Wolfowitz, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, was assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs from 1982-86 and more recently served as U.S. deputy secretary of defense and president of the World Bank.

ISML 2009: Kotomi Ichinose...the next Lady in Red?

ISML 2009: Kotomi Ichinose...the next Lady in Red?


August 5, 2009


Her hair may be a deep, rich indigo, but Kotomi Ichinose is two big victories away from taking on a new nickname: "The Lady in Red."

As in Ruby Red.

In Match Day 7 of the 2009 International Saimoe League Ruby necklace phase, she was all business against Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere in Tehran, winning 1645-1271 to stay atop the standings.

Hinagiku Katsura, Yuki Nagato and Shana also scored big victories to keep the pressure on the bookworm known for using a violin as a weapon of aural destruction.

Katsura had no problems defeating Evangeline A.K. McDowell, winning 1848-750 in Dhaka, Nagato scored a critical 1512-1407 decision over fellow SOS Brigade member Mikuru Asahina in Milan and Shana got the job done in a 1863-1200 torching of Konjiki no Yami in Moscow.

Others in the chase kept their clean sheets this phase. Haruhi Suzumiya rolled past Ami Kawashima 1834-1213 in Lagos, Horo chomped up Remilia Scarlet 1882-837, Suigintou pasted Aya Shameimaru asunder 2027-587 in Cairo and Tomoyo Sakagami ripped apart Saber 1843-1160 in Algiers.

Defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown bounced back with a 1705-1096 victory over Ayu Tsukimiya in Madrid.

The Hayate the Combat Butler girls were big winners today, earning the only series sweep. Maria prevailed over Tsukasa Hiiragi 1628-1324 in Lima and Nagi Sanzen'in scored a businesslike 1931-631 victory over Kirino Chiba in Los Angeles.

In other action...Shinku tore apart Shiki Ryogi 1794-885 in Tokyo, Rika Furude whipped past Ami HInamori 1702-907 in Mexico City, Marisa Kirisame scored a 1101-1072 thriller over Nagi in Mumbai, Vita edged Anya Earlstreim 1199-1169 in New York, Mei Sunohara was too good for Alice Carroll in a 1762-758 mule-kicking in Buenos Aires and C.C. punished Makoto Sawatari 1761-888 in Seoul.

Karachi saw Taiga Aisaka move one step close towards qualification for the Tiara phase with a 1566-1238 victory over Konata Izumi, Nagisa Furukawa bombed Mai Kawasumi silly in a 1623-1129 win in Manila, Shiori Misaka escaped with a 1138-1084 nail-bite over Index L. Prohibitorum, Misuzu Kamio defeated Yuuhi Katagiri 1327-1073 in Paris, Mikoto Misaka scored a 1198-881 victory over Tamaki Kawazoe in Istanbul and Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga winless streak continued with a 1704-632 whipping by Chii in Bangkok.

Wrapping up action...Nanoha Takamachi busted Hanyuu Furude 1437-1340 in Bogota, Rin Tosaka lynched Sayuri Kurata 1738-1087 in Santiago, Illyasviel von Einzbern got the job done in a 1460-1248 victory over Hayate Yagami in Kinshasa, Kagami Hiiragi stomped Nayuki Minase 1530-1175 in Toronto, Sakura Kinomoto cruised to a 1641-732 victory over Patchouli Knowledge in Sydney, Kyou Fujibayashi laid the book on Akari Mizunashi in a 1764 victory in Santo Domingo and Minori Kushieda scored an impressive 1452-1298 decision over Rena Ryuuguu in Katowice.

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Ruby Match Day 7

ARENA 01: [Shinku] Ryōgi Shiki

ARENA 02: [Furude Rika] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 03: [Kirisame Marisa] Nagi

ARENA 04: [Holo] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 05: Vita [Anya Alstreim]

ARENA 06: Ibuki Fūko [Suiseiseki]

ARENA 07: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Kawashima Ami

ARENA 08: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 09: [Sunohara Mei] Alice Carroll

ARENA 10: Sawatari Makoto [C.C.]

ARENA 11: [Aisaka Taiga] Izumi Konata

ARENA 12: Evangeline McDowell [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 13: Kawasumi Mai [Furukawa Nagisa]

ARENA 14: [Suigintou] Shameimaru Aya

ARENA 15: Misaka Shiori [Index Prohibitorum]

ARENA 16: [Katagiri Yūhi] Kamio Misuzu

ARENA 17: Kawazoe Tamaki [Misaka Mikoto]

ARENA 18: [Shana] Konjiki no Yami

ARENA 19: [Hakurei Reimu] Kōzuki Kallen

ARENA 20: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Maria]

ARENA 21: Louise Vallière [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 22: [Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu] Chii

ARENA 23: [Takamachi Nanoha] Furude Hanyū

ARENA 24: Kurata Sayuri [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 25: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Yagami Hayate]

ARENA 26: Minase Nayuki [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 27: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Saber

ARENA 28: [Nagato Yuki] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 29: [Fate Testarossa] Tsukimiya Ayu

ARENA 30: Patchouli Knowledge [Kinomoto Sakura]

ARENA 31: Mizunashi Akari [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 32: [Kushieda Minori] Ryūgū Rena

Quick Hits: August 2, 2009

Michael Phelps is BACK. Take that Milorad Cavic, you Serbian piece of shit! You said you wanted payback. Fuhgeddaboutit!


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In spite of his efforts against AC Milan and F.C, Barcelona, I would love to see David Beckham leave the Galaxy. He chose not to start for the first part of the season, and while I frown on the actions the bloke of my friends from the Los Angeles Riot Squad, Beckham's infidelity to his club has elicited my vote of no confidence.

Landon Donovan is still one of my favorite footballers. He will always be. He would do what Beckham is doing. I don't think it would even register.


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Rest in peace, Cory Aquino. What you did-no, what everyone in the People Power movement did-will go down as the most important event in the history of this country. I was only two years old when this happened, and I remember this well.

And so I will salute you by wearing yellow tomorrow at church. Rest in peace. When I return to the Philippines, I plan to pay a visit at Heritage Park. You will go down as the Greatest Filipina That Ever Lived.

ISML 2009: Kotomi, the unlikeliest of good girls, tops Ruby standings

ISML 2009: Kotomi, the unlikeliest of good girls, tops Ruby standings

August 2, 2009

On a day in which a Filipina heroine was given a salute, a day in which unfinished business was attained in Rome and the Los Angeles Galaxy earned F.C. Barcelona's respect at the Coliseum, Kotomi Ichinose topped the 2009 International Saimoe League Ruby Necklace Standings through six match days.

Wait, who?

Yes, you are not seeing things or reading hearsay. Ichinose and her mad violin blew everyone away, and she walked to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive 1376-1337 victory over defending champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown in Tehran.

It was the first in a series of critical results that whittled the field for the necklace to eight. And two of the Rozen Maiden Alice Dolls have seen their campaign end.

Mikuru Asahina defeated Shinku 1388-1295 in Lagos and Suiseiseki faced a stiff roadblock in Tomoyo Sakagami, submitting to a 1550-1200 rout in Moscow. Suigintou salvaged victory, defeating Sakura Kinomoto 1580-1049 in Dhaka.

The SOS Brigade claimed a sweep, while Shana kept her lead at the top of the overall standings.

Haruhi Suzumiya got some hard-earned payback against her protege Konata Izumi, winning 1492-1115 in Mexico City and Yuki Nagato prevented a would-be sweep for CLANNAD, prevailing 1362-1277 in Buenos Aires.

Shana herself had a tough nut to crack in Rin Tosaka, but got the job done with a 1550-1272 win in Algiers.

In other action...Maria dusted off Tamaki Kawazoe 1835-711 in Tokyo, Reimu Hakurei scored a 1300-789 win over Kirino Chiba in Mumbai, Vita defeated Aya Shameimaru 1190-803 in Sao Paulo, Kyou Fujibayashi routed Tsukasa Hiiragi 1491-1140 in New York City, Minori Kushieda crushed Mikoto Misaka 1311-956 in Shanghai and Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) cruised to a 1489-1091 win in Los Angeles.

Illyasviel von Einzbern took out Ayu Tsukimiya 1499-1055 in Seoul, Karachi witnessed Yuuhi Katagiri score a 1127-788 decision over Remilia Scarlet 1127-788, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere rolled past Chii 1393-960 in Manila, Sayuri Kurata took down Misuzu Kamio 1256-977 in Cairo and Evangeline A.K. McDowell wass all business with a 1191-977 victory over Index L. Prohibitorum in Jakarta.

Hayate Yagami was too good for Akari Mizunashi 1405-713 in Paris, Istanbul witnessed Hanyuu Furude pulverize Marisa Kirisame 1500-731, Horo chomped up Rena Ryuuguu 1428-1104 in London (though Craft Lawrence sold the billhooks at some market unknown to Bongaboi or the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue as of this article date), Saber slashed the living daylights out of Shiori Misaka 1497-776 in Lima and Patchouli Knowledge scored a rare victory with a 1071-1012 thriller over Kallen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) in Bangkok.

Wrapping up action...C.C. scored an impressive 1360-1264 victory over Rika Furude in Santiago, Makoto Sawatari punched out Alice Carroll 1155-886 in Kinshasa, Amu Hinamori sciored a 1213-616 victory over Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga in Toronto, Fuuko Ibuki left Anya Earlstreim star-struck 1602-806 in Milan, Nayuki Minase triumphed over Shiki Ryogi 1108-912 in Madrid, Taiga Aisaka roared over Nagi 1787-611 in Sydney, an intriguing match in Santo Domingo saw Mei Sunohara outpace Mai Kawasumi 1316-1101 and Hinagiku Katsura rendered Nanoha Takamachi helpless in an eyebrow-raising 1597-1111 victory in Katowice.