An example of raising the stakes in a sports anime, Beyblade 1st season episode 49 - A Wicked Wind Blows.

The finals of the first World Championships hasn't started well for the Bladebreakers as Kai loses to Spencer, Ray is up next against Bryan and it's all on him to deliver, but Bryan isn't pulling any punches as the arena is a rotating disk stadium, the first round goes poorly as debris from Falborg's attack strike Ray several times along with the wind coming off his Beyblade, Ray loses pretty quick as he and Driger have to regroup and give it another shot but Bryan isn't about to slow down for Ray and intensifies his assault, Ray is able to scrap a win by going all out but collapses from his injury.
Bryan is pissed although you can't always tell with how he speaks and puts Ray as he puts it through the wringer, getting more violent as the attacks start tearing into his clothes and hair ties revealing some unbelievable hair from Ray, he's all but reached his limit but through inspirational words and Driger's desire to protect Ray, Driger pulls off one final attack that defeats Bryan and shatters his blade into pieces, unfortunately Ray collapses from the injuries and is hospitalised, he also loses Driger in the process having given all his energy to save Ray, the victory sets up a final clash between Tala and Tyson.
Four takeaways from this episode.
1. It's disappointing that Bryan never did much after this as he's on par with Tala for pure ruthlessness.
2. The injuries to the actual beybladers serves as a foreshadow for where the series ultimately ends up in G Revolution where the stakes are higher and injuries more frequent.
3. With that in mind Ray's super long hair makes it's debut and ultimately acts as a symbol of how intense the sport gets.
4. Ray's passed out expression is a reference to Tomorrows Joe's most famous scene where the boxer dies with a smile on his face, Ray doesn't die but it's great to know where the reference originates.

Next time on Victory Script
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