Kona, HI – (HIBT) Team Likeke Club hit the leaderboard in second place on Day Two, grabbed the top spot on Day Three and didn’t let go. “Tears were streaming down my face as we pulled into Kailua Pier today,” said Rich Wilson, this year’s HIBT champion. “I was the youngest HIBT angler back in the ‘60s. We moved away, but I never lost my passion for HIBT fishing. Hawaiian fishermen have the deepest passion for fishing.”Wilson continued, “I was told I wouldn’t make another Christmas and I knew I had to come back. And we did and gave her one last hurrah!”

Australia’s Sunshine Coast Game Fishing Club took second place followed by Japan’s Kona Game Fishing Club – Kusatsu. Illusions, captained by Tim Hicks with crew members Chris Kam and Jordan Kilkenny, was the top boat scoring the highest number of points over the five days of tournament fishing.

“This was a memorable year at the 56th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament,” said HIBT Founder Peter Fithian. “All 31 teams and every charter boat in the fleet put points on the board. I’d say that is pretty close to perfect.”