The day before competition is usually reserved for media day. Each angler will sit at a table and media representatives will take turns asking each angler pretty much the same questions again and again.
“How’s the fishing?” “Who do you think has the best chance to win?” “What are you throwing and where are you going?”
The standard answers are “Depends on the weather.” “If it ain’t me, then it don’t matter.” And “No comment.”
But it’s still a good time to make face-to-face contact with the best players in their own sport. The best 50 fishermen in the world.
Foreign influence: Although some Japanese anglers have migrated to the United States and become pro fishermen (e.g., Takahiro Omori), Shigeru Tsukiyama of Tokyo is fishing in his first Classic.
He finished first in the Western Division, earning his spot in Birmingham. He had to bring his own interpreter to communicate with officials and the other anglers.
She is probably the most important non-angler in Birmingham this weekend.
