How It Started
Japan Game Fish Association was formed in 1979. The founders and initial core members were participants to Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT).
By the encouragement of HIBT’s founder and director, Peter S. Fithian, they decided to unite and form an organization that would become the present JGFA. It has grown fast, and now it boasts more than 3,000 members of all genres of angling.
By the encouragement of HIBT’s founder and director, Peter S. Fithian, they decided to unite and form an organization that would become the present JGFA. It has grown fast, and now it boasts more than 3,000 members of all genres of angling.
The shot at an early JIBT. From left, late Hank Onishi (first chairman of JGFA), Peter Fithian (founder of HIBT) and Junzo Okada (honorary chairman of JGFA).
The initial version of this tournament was held in Miyake Island.