ANGLERS FINISH 7TH IN WORLD CHAMPS

MBABANE – Eswatini anglers have managed to finish in the top half on the biggest stage in fishing.

After ranking eighth after day one on Friday, Team Eswatini rallied to finish seventh out of 15 in the 14th Annual Black Bass World Championship at Lake Cuchillo in Mexico the following day. Eswatini weighed total bass of 22.205kg to rank third in Africa behind South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Despite failing to make the podium, Eswatini anglers can still walk tall after finishing ahead of fishing powerhouses that include Portugal and Spain.
Seasoned angler Derek Hopf highlighted that the team did well under the tough weather conditions, which were headlined by gusty winds.

Finishing

“Finishing in the top half is good.
“It was a good tournament despite the weather conditions and subsequent cancellation of one day of fishing,” said Hopf.
Meanwhile, United States of America (USA) are world champions with a total catch of 61.400kg.

Hosts Mexico and Italy completed the list of podium finishers. Africa’s best team South Africa was fourth overall with total fish weighing 38.915kg.

Like in previous events, teams with fewer penalties got a better rank.  Penalties may occur when a fish in bad condition is handed over for weigh-in or in case of a delay in returning to the weigh station.

Representing Team Eswatini were Wimpie Bouwer, Derek Hopf, Curtis Mathews, William Brown and record holder Manny Rego. The latter remains a world record holder with a catch of 6.060kg.  The team is expected back home between today and tomorrow. It was Eswatini’s 10th stop at the global championships.

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