Atkin is Fish'O'Mania Champ - 16/07/2011
SHANE ATKIN, a 30 year-old care worker from Billingham, Cleveland became the 17th man to claim angling’s most coveted title – PartyPoker.com Fish’O’Mania champion, as he stormed to glory on a blustery afternoon at Cudmore Fisheries, Stoke .
Fishing steadily throughout, Atkin held the lead from the third half-hourly weigh-in onwards and never relinquished it to finish on 20.53 kg, over five kilos clear of his nearest rival, Simon Christian.
“I’m ecstatic, absolutely over the moon. It’s everyone’s dream to win Fish’O’Mania and I’ve done it at my first attempt,” said a delighted Atkin, who took home the top prize of £30,000.
Unfancied in the run up to the event, Atkin’s odds increased dramatically when he pulled out fancied Peg 1 at Friday evening’s draw. However, he made his move in the second hour of the match when he bagged over 5 kg of barbel to take the lead.
“It was all down to my tactics. It fished hard all day and I had to chop and change. I had five barbel in that half an hour and after that I was scraping around trying different things.
“I think the end peg made a difference especially in last hour when ladies had packed in. The money is great! I’m going to clear a few debts and take my wife on holiday as we’ve not had one since we’ve been married.
Second placed finisher Simon Christian came on strong in the latter part of the competition but the gap was too much to bridge.
“I tried my best and stuck to my plan but it was not quite enough, I’m gutted,” said runner-up Christian.
‘I’ve learnt a lot and it’s been a great experience but I couldn’t finish it by winning. I’ll try and get in next year and come back to Cudmore, hopefully,” he added.
In the Fish’O’Mania Ladies match, England International Samantha Sim, won her second Fish’O’Mania title as stole a close match with a huge 5.31kg bag in the last hour. That took her past rivals Julie Abbot and Emma Pickering to land the £1,000 first prize and the magnificent trophy.
There was consolation for Pickering as she landed the prize of £1,000 for the biggest fish landed during both matches with a carp of 3.60 kg.
Fishing action continues tomorrow with the Fish’O’Mania Home International match and the final of Fish’O’Mania Juniors.
FINAL RESULT
1. Shane Atkin[tab][tab][tab]20.53 kg[tab]
2. Simon Christian[tab][tab]15.18 kg
3. David George[tab][tab]13.24 kg
4. Chris Kendall[tab][tab]12.60 kg
5. Andy Favill[tab][tab][tab]11.36 kg
6. Tim Nash[tab][tab][tab]10.36 kg
7. Kieron Rich[tab][tab][tab]10.12 kg
8. Richard A’Herne[tab][tab]9.76 kg
9. Andy Neal[tab][tab][tab]7.65 kg
10. Andy May[tab][tab][tab]5.89 kg
11. Robert Pelling[tab][tab]5. 64 kg
12. Jon Arthur[tab][tab][tab]5.54 kg
13. Nathan Watson[tab][tab]4.80 kg
14. Mark Wainwright[tab][tab]4.74 kg
15. Tony Curd[tab][tab][tab]4.10 kg
16. Alan Bruce[tab][tab][tab]2.96 kg
LADIES – FINAL RESULT
1. Samantha Sim – 12.05 kg
2. Julie Abbott – 10.75 kg
3. Emma Pickering – 9.27 kg
4. Sammie Perkins – 7.08 kg
5. Wendy Locker – 4.66 kg
6. Linda Cooke – 0.66 kg
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