Saitama Tokyo Japan October 2008
19/10/2008
A competition first for Carron in 2008 a three man team set off for Japan full of anticipation and enthusiasm. This was to be the furthest that any of the Carron boys had travelled to compete in any competition. We were going to compete in several of the competitions, the 18 foot and 16 foot Speycasting competitions at the Saitama prefecture and the single handed 7 weight competitions at the Saitama stadium
Speycasting venue
The standard of casting in Japan was absolutely amazing the entrants into both the Speycasting competitions was over 100 so it was going to be the toughest competition we had faced to date. The completions were all judged by the Japanese casting association, which ran like clockwork with the utmost efficiency getting all the qualifying rounds completed within 3 hours, the top 10 would be in the final of both contests on the Sunday.
The weather during the qualifiers was touching 90 degrees. Carron boys Gordon Armstrong and Ruairi Costello would make the final in both the 18 foot and 16 foot competitions with some magnificent qualifying casts.
The European and Canadian competitors
Then it was off to the stadium where Ruairi Costello was competing in the 7 weight singlehanded competition. Ruairi managed to stave off all the other competitors to win this prestigious single handed event. Congratulations Ruairi on a memorable achievement in a truly world class event.
Ruairi getting presented with gold medal
The Speycasting finals were held on Sunday back at the prefecture Gordon and Ruairi would have to be on the top of their game to get placed amongst some of the most enthusiastic Speycasters we have ever competed against. None of the other competitors have competed in Europe although some of them we have seen casting successfully in the USA.
16 Foot Speycasting Final Results the 2 best casts scored
| 1st | Gordon Armstrong | 110metres Longest cast 56.5 metres |
| 5th | Ruairi Costello | 100metres Longest cast 51 metres |
A magnificent achievement with a 16 foot rod hitting huge distances.
The 18 foot competition was just starting when the weather broke and the monsoon rains continued for over an hour it was amazing to watch but uncomfortable to compete in.
18 Foot Speycasting Final Results 2 best casts scored
| 1st | Gordon Armstrong | 112metres Longest cast 56 metres |
| 10th | Ruairi Costello | 100metres Longest cast 51 metres |
Gordon celebrates his victory with the Japanese longest caster
Gordon and Ruairi with their prizes
Congratulations to Ruairi and Gordon for your magnificent achievements in Japan.
A visit to Tokyo to see Carron stockist Sansui tackle store where we met up with another great Speycaster manager Toshira Sato who gave us a great welcome and asked the boys to leave their mark.
Toshira Sato of Sansui Tackle Store pictured right
Leaving their mark
The boys then moved north to the Tone River where they ran some clinics and organised a small competition for the members of the club. A great day was had by all and I must say a big thank you to Tak and Kazu for all your help.
The Tone River gathering
The delighted winner of the 15foot competition receives his 1st prize from the Carron boys.