Also, Kaoru-dono states that the sword that Sanosuke uses is known as a Zanbatou. Now if my memory serves me correctly, Zanbatou is roughly translated to "Horse Chopping Sword." Anyways, the sword was used in early wars and its purpose was to knock off or kill horse bearing attackers but was later scrapped because of it's extreme weight, because of the Zanbatou's design it can only be fully utilized by cutting down or across. Now the actually fight begins with Sano initating the first attack by cutting downwards with the Zanabatou but an easy dodge by Kenshin. Kenshin performs some quick one hit attacks before Sano can attack him or after an attack made by Sano. This pattern continues between Sanosuke and Kenshin. Kenshin and Sano do a air duel attack but Kenshin comes out victorious, breaking Sanosuke's Zanbatou. Kenshin quickly finishes the fight afterwards by performing HitenMitsurugiRyuu's RyuSouSen which hits all overs Sano's body. Sanosuke at this point is struggling to stand up but manages. After a short talk between Kenshin and a punch to the face, Sano decides to let go and fall down.
This was the first good fight in the Ruruoni Kenshin series. If you didn't read the manga and started from the beginning episode of Kenshin this was the only fight that kept things up. Kenshins skills, Sano's storyline, combined with the exgeratted size on an actual Zanabtou made this fight a memorable one. It's true that Sanosuke is a poor fighter compared to the skilled swordmasters he is still one of the best Kenshin characters. His skills arn't bad but his stamina and strength make up for something.
Sanosuke's stamina is pretty high considering that Kenshin commented on that. Kenshin had said that Sano had to have good stamina to still be standing after a full force of a RyuSouSen. If your a big Kenshin fan like I am (which I doubt most people can live to my dedication to Kenshin) you would know how strong Kenshin is and taking any HitenMitsurugiRyuu technique is quite devastating. Also, Sanosuke's strength is quite impressive considering the weight of a Zanabatou and the fact that he can weild it with ease says a lot. I doubt anybody could weild that sucker.
Don't over see Kenshin also thinking about his sense of perception Kenshin won this fight by calculation. By anaylzing Sano's sword Kenshin could easily calculate how to avoid and counter Sano's attack. Noted by Kaoru, she said that Kenshin's sakabatou seemed to fly when hitting Sanonow that is speed.
