Kota’s American Dream from Lake Kitaura

Kota’s American Dream tournament takes winners of a derby he hosts in Japan at Lake Kitaura and takes them to the BassCat Owners’ Tournament here in the United States.

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Morning greeting with both Japanese and American national anthems at Japan's Lake Kitaura.
Morning greeting with both Japanese and American national anthems at Japan’s Lake Kitaura.
Teams wait in line for weigh-in. There was a limited number of weigh-in bags, to keep bass mortality low.
Teams wait in line for weigh-in. There was a limited number of weigh-in bags, to keep bass mortality low.
Still waiting. Every angler’s bag had Rejuvenade added.
Still waiting. Every angler’s bag had Rejuvenade added.
Emcee Kota Kiriyama announces a good weight.
Emcee Kota Kiriyama announces a good weight.
A female team weighs in a nice one from Lake Kitaura.
A female team weighs in a nice one from Lake Kitaura.
Local media was onsite to provide stories, videos and still photos.
Local media was onsite to provide stories, videos and still photos.
This team thought they were on their way to the airport to fish in Arkansas at the BassCat Invitational.
This team thought they were on their way to the airport to fish in Arkansas at the BassCat Invitational.
The winning team owns a BassCat Puma. Note the Iaconelli-inspired wrap.
The winning team owns a BassCat Puma. Note the Iaconelli-inspired wrap.
The winning team was the last team to weigh in, and here they are bagging their fish for the drive-through weigh-in.
The winning team was the last team to weigh in, and here they are bagging their fish for the drive-through weigh-in.
The moment of victory! Takuya Hashimoto (left) and Ryo Shinotsuka (right). Their three-fish limit weighed 9.37 pounds.
The moment of victory! Takuya Hashimoto (left) and Ryo Shinotsuka (right). Their three-fish limit weighed 9.37 pounds.
Another team drove through to weigh their fish as Kiriyama announces their weight.
Another team drove through to weigh their fish as Kiriyama announces their weight.
This hook was presented to the winning team by Owner. Yes, it’s a real hook.
This hook was presented to the winning team by Owner. Yes, it’s a real hook.
For the raffle, a child was selected to draw numbers from a hat.
For the raffle, a child was selected to draw numbers from a hat.
A contestant won a Rigid Industries hat from the raffle.
A contestant won a Rigid Industries hat from the raffle.
Another contestant won a flashlight from Rigid.
Another contestant won a flashlight from Rigid.
Another contestant won a BassCat T-shirt.
Another contestant won a BassCat T-shirt.
These were signed by Elite Series pro Mike Iaconelli. This pair owns a BassCat Pantera II.
These were signed by Elite Series pro Mike Iaconelli. This pair owns a BassCat Pantera II.
The leftovers from the raffle were given to the crowd. Most of the gear was from American manufacturers, which are loved overseas because of the rarity.
The leftovers from the raffle were given to the crowd. Most of the gear was from American manufacturers, which are loved overseas because of the rarity.
More prizes from the raffle.
More prizes from the raffle.
Several Elite pros donated a jersey to the raffle.
Several Elite pros donated a jersey to the raffle.
Here’s the winner of the Kevin VanDam jersey. Though it was a little large, he was very happy.
Here’s the winner of the Kevin VanDam jersey. Though it was a little large, he was very happy.
In his signature pink, here’s Kevin Short’s winner.
In his signature pink, here’s Kevin Short’s winner.
In an unusual way to give one away, a Power-Pole was earned by way of rock-paper-scissors.
In an unusual way to give one away, a Power-Pole was earned by way of rock-paper-scissors.
Rick Clunn donated an autographed copy of his first book.
Rick Clunn donated an autographed copy of his first book.
Another flashlight from Rigid.
Another flashlight from Rigid.
The Japanese Gerald Swindle!
The Japanese Gerald Swindle!
Fletcher Shryock donated a jersey as well.
Fletcher Shryock donated a jersey as well.
Here’s one from Classic champ Cliff Pace.
Here’s one from Classic champ Cliff Pace.
He also won the rock-paper-scissors tournament for the Power-Pole.
He also won the rock-paper-scissors tournament for the Power-Pole.
Gamma line provided the contestants with lots of sample spools.
Gamma line provided the contestants with lots of sample spools.
There were more than 160 people who fished the event which makes Kota’s American Dream the largest open team tournament in Japan.
There were more than 160 people who fished the event which makes Kota’s American Dream the largest open team tournament in Japan.