WATCH: “Gifted” competes in the 40th Port Antonio Canoe Tournament

PORTLAND, Jamaica – The “Gifted” canoe captained by Donovan Green, his brother Geovoni Green and Patrick Wainwright landed a marlin weighing 242.8 pounds to win the 40th Port Antonio Canoe Tournament.

They received a gift basket, the Yamaha Engines trophy and a Yamaha boat engine.

Second-place Red Bull, last year's champions, took home the West Indies Petroleum trophy for its 122.6-pound Marlin. Third place was Lucky One with a 113.2 pound marlin.

The Portland Chamber of Commerce hosted the canoe tournament in conjunction with the Sir Henry Morgan Anglers Association.

Captain Green of Gifted from Pagee Beach in Port Maria, St Mary was thrilled.

“It's a wonderful prize and it was a tough fight with the marlin as I injured my finger. We fought for more than 15 minutes. We enjoyed the drive from Pagee Beach (Port Maria) as we all came to win. We're going home with the prize, but we're all winners. We are surprised by the engine because we didn't expect it,” shared Green.

Donovan has been involved in the canoe tournament for over eight years.

“In 2018 we won with 'She's Royal', but this year it's my boat 'Gifted'. The tournament was good and went down, but now things are going up again. We are happy,” he added.

Andrae Alexander of Yahama Engines said, “We are excited to bring this engine to these real fishermen who face the dangers of the weather for their livelihood, and we hope this engine will enhance their experience.”

The tournament had sponsorship from Yamaha Engines, West Indies Petroleum, CC Bakery, KFC, the Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Sir Henry Morgan Anglers Association.

Interestingly, Rabbit of the Sea landed a marlin weighing 124.4 pounds, but arrived after the weigh station closed, resulting in the marlin's disqualification. However, they received a fair play award.

– Everard Owen