From 42 participants last year, only 34 competed in the annual spear fishing that traditionally drew divers from Guam and other Pacific islands.
But MASC President Morito Asai said in an interview yesterday, it was still a good turn out since the new ground rules have made this year’s event more challenging.
Asai said that unlike last year’s when divers competed only in the waters surrounding Saipan, over the weekend’s tournament gave the participants the opportunity to reach as far as the waters around Tinian and “Goat Island.”
Also, due to lack of open limitation of the distance covered, the competing groups of divers were given extended hours, Asai said.
He added that the water was as rough as last year, which was not the condition during the previous events.
Due to this seemingly changing pattern of ocean condition which is becoming unfavorable to fishing sports, they may pick June to be the month for the next spear fishing tournament next year.
Last Saturday, the title that Guam’s Mike Genereux won last year went to his team mate, Myles Driscoll who caught an 86-pound trevally.
It is twice the weight of Genereux’ catch last year.
Finishing second, Genereux caught 64.5 pound while Saipan’s Scott Russell settled for third with a 49-pound catch.
Felix Sasamoto also of Saipan caught 40 pounds for the fourth place and Derek San Nicolas placed fifth with 39 pounds of catch.
In the team category, Genereux and Driscoll also defeated depending champions, Scott Russell and Peter Houk.
With 150.5 pounds of catch, the Guam divers grand slammed against Russel and Houk who landed with 75.5 pounds of catch.
Felix Sasamoto and Greg Sasamoto placed third with 64 pounds of catch, and Derek San Nicolas and John Kim settled for fourth with 43 pounds of catch.
Vince Tudela and Wyman Rechucher placed fifth with 38 pounds; Henry Ilo and Ken Taitano, 37 pounds; Manny Camacho and Abraham Quitugua, seventh place with 35 pounds; James Borja and Ken Borja, eighth place with 32 pounds; Pete Tegeita and Visun Takahashi, ninth place with 15 pounds and Monique Genereux and Pat Atherton, 10th place with 11 pounds.
The ocean was in rough condition at the back of the island, Asai said well experienced boat operators managed to bring the divers home with none of them getting hurt.
Asai said the M.A.S.C promotes safe diving and will be supporting the sponsors and volunteers in future endeavors.
