PORTLAND, Jamaica — The 41st Port Antonio Canoe Tournament concluded triumphantly at the Ole Marina in Port Antonio on Tuesday, with Anthony East and Devontae Brown emerging as champions. The duo, aboard the canoe ‘Crystal,’ reeled in a marlin weighing an impressive 162 pounds, securing their victory. As part of their prize, they were awarded a Yamaha boat engine, generously sponsored by Yamaja.
Marvin Brown, fishing on ‘King Fish,’ claimed second place with a 108-pound marlin, while ‘Rabbit of the Sea’ took third place with a 103-pound catch. Both winners expressed their exhilaration over the challenging yet rewarding experience.
“It was an exciting and wonderful catch. We faced some challenges when we hooked the marlin, but it was all worth it,” said Devontae Brown. Anthony East echoed his sentiments, describing the marlin’s fight as intense but manageable.
Despite initial concerns about adverse weather conditions, the tournament proceeded smoothly. East noted, “We thought the event might be canceled due to the weather, but we were fortunate to get a bite on our way up from Annotto Bay. We knew we were in for a good day.”
Max Rochester, director of the Sir Henry Morgan Anglin Association, which co-organized the event with the Portland Chamber of Commerce, expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s outcome. “At the start of the day, I was worried as only one marlin had been caught. But by the end, we had four marlins, making it a successful event,” he remarked.
Andrew Alexander of Yamaja, the sponsor of the Yamaha engine, praised the participants, stating, “We are proud of the fishermen and grateful for their continued support. They are our main customers, and we are delighted to sponsor this prize again.”
The tournament saw 68 boats registered, showcasing the enduring popularity of this annual event.