The 106th day of the Daiwa Securities M League 2024-25 brought excitement as mahjong players faced off in two compelling matches held on March 25, 2025. The first match showcased top talent with Kotaro Uchikawa from KADOKAWA Sakura Knights taking the lead, while the second match saw Yui Okada emerge victorious, leaving fans eager for more action.
In the first match, Uchikawa stood out with strong performances. The contest began with East 1局, where Rui Nakabayashi from U-NEXT Pirates made a notable advance by declaring a pon and pushing forward with quick plays. However, Motota, representing Sega Sammy Phoenix, quickly matched Nakabayashi's aggression by declaring a tempai and reaching. Uchikawa followed suit by securing a tempai and went for a chase reach against Nakabayashi.
Meanwhile, Uchikawa successfully leveraged his hand and managed to get a strong 2000/4000 with reach in East 1局 1本場. Then, in East 2局, it was Motota's turn to shine, declaring a reach leading to another 2000/4000. The tension built up as the players contested for points, with Uchikawa taking a commanding position in East 3局, adding an impressive 2900 points.
The pivotal moment came in East 3局 1本場, where Uchikawa achieved a stunning win with a score of 7700/8000 after successfully reaching against Motota. He continued his streak into East 3局 2本場, where he once again emerged victorious, winning 4000/4200 and ensuring his solid lead.
As the match advanced, Uchikawa maintained dominant gameplay, ultimately achieving a top score of +63.6. In contrast, Nakabayashi ended the match in second place with a meager +0.8, while Motota fell to -21.4 in third, and Akito Hagihara, also from Team Raiden, struggled with a score of -43.0.
Shifting gears to the second match of the day, the stakes were equally high. Participants included Amamiya, with battles raging through several intense rounds. As the players engaged, East 1局 showcased Okada taking the lead with a strong 2000/4000 score. Throughout the match, Okada displayed tactical prowess, reaching several times to secure advantages against his opponents.
Amamiya was also a formidable contender, showcasing skillful plays. During East 1局 1本場, he matched Okada's strong efforts with a score of 2000/4000/2100/4100. The game reached a frenzy in South 1局, where Nakabayashi declared a reach, complementing a series of well-timed plays that forced competitive scores among the players.
In South 2局, Amamiya produced a considerable win, sealing a powerful 12000 score, further elevating the competition. The excitement remained palpable as the players continued their impressive gameplay. However, during South 4局 4本場, Okada emerged again, managing to reflect his strategy effectively, making up a critical point gap to secure the top position.
Ultimately, Okada finished with a notable score of +53.8, while Amamiya secured second place with +6.3. Nakabayashi recorded a disappointment with -14.3, while Hagihara struggled to achieve a score of -45.8.
With the day’s matches concluded, the Sakura Knights celebrated a vital step forward, managing to accumulate four consecutive wins, which establishes hope as they strive to close a 213.2-point gap behind ABEMAS. As for Raiden, they completed their regular 96 matches, achieving a commendable score of 330.3, appearing poised for a semifinal bid.
The loom of the individual MVP race leaves fans intrigued, especially with Amamiya holding a slight edge as Thursday approaches, where outcomes could deepen rivalries and highlight gameplay skills. As the league progresses, the anticipation is building.
