Falling Down (Under)
Once considered part of the world elite (or thereabouts), as of late Australia finds itself mired in a swamp that even the combined forces of Crocodile Dundee, Steve Irwin and every other over exposed Australia stereotype may not be able to pull them from. YGO Online International takes a look while being wary of drop bears.
Australia have traditionally been a kind of dark horse as far as the world rankings are concerned, generally floating just outside the top nations. A highest finish of 9th place back in Season 7, taking advantage of a lacklustre Canada, now seems so far in the past.
Season 9 saw the Oceanic champions fall from 11th to 15th falling behind such relative mediocrities as Switzerland and, most gallingly, the one-season wonders, Luxembourg. Part of this fall is attributed to the resurgence of Canada and Greece as well as the rising stars of Israel but there’s little allowances to be made for falling behind an Austria severly lacking in participation as of late.
As of this article, Australia has clawed its way back to 13th, pushing past a Luxembourg unlike to gain any points this season and a lack of high ranking Swiss participators. But even as these short-term challenges are fended off, other nations such as Bulgaria and the Seychelles, are making gains.
Worse still, Canada and Greece are now pulling so far ahead in terms of points, Australia may be shut out of the top 10 for quite a long time. If their new challengers, especially the Seychelles, continue to rise, what was once a contender for one of the greatest dueling nations of all could quickly find itself mired in a battle with the Swiss, Egyptians and others to try and make a mark in the middle of the rankings.
This is what happened, with a bigger fall, to a hopeful New Zealand as they soared to 15th in Season 5. They currently lie 41st in the world with little hope for improvement. Although such a dramatic fall from grace is unlikely to hit Australia, the risk of losing their status as a pre-eminent dueling nation also hurts the perception of Oceania as a whole. Or maybe, following the example of their soccer team, they could move to the Asian grouping and be free from the pressures of being the only major representative of their region?
You forgot Jim Crocodile Cook in those stereotypes :p
The funny thing about Australia is that the top duellist ‘EthernalBelgarath” is actually from england, so we are getting abit of a free ride there.
I think the ebb and sway of certain country dominance can also be linked with how popular the yugioh anime is at that time. Currently its not being shown on aussie tv, so that may explain why there might be as much interest.
Also, I think new zealand was high one season because the top TP winner was actually from there at one time, although it is highly suspected that it wasnt actually one person, and it would have had to be shared in shifts between multiple duellists ……
EthernalBelgarath isn’t top of much at the moment. “xxOZxx” is currently your national hero, ranked at 164 in the TP rankings compared to EB’s 635. You have reclaimed your honour, Australia!
That’s a good point about the popularity of the animé. I touched on it in an article I’ll be posting sometime (about Hong Kong). I wonder then if Italy must get the animé 24-7 or something.
Surprising that New Zealand’s one run on top might have been due to such shifty tactics. The amount of TP New Zealand had when they won that wouldn’t have got them into the top 40 TP rankings in Season 9. Maybe all the top duelists these days are secretly teams; now there’s a conspiracy to sink your teeth into.