[Akiyoshi]

At least during StrikerS, nowdays anyone with good trainign and "new age" powers/weapons can have a good chance to do that (Tohma get "draw" against her even while he's still an unexperienced bratt who was stompped by Carter Grendel xDU).

Now, beating someone like Curren on the other hand would be a great way to stablish you as an insanely pwoerfull and badass character ...in fact, Hardis didn't even need to defeat her, by only showing he's capable of stand against Curren he has much proven himself as an extremely powerfull threat. I fear for the moment he finally decides to get serious on SS6.