I am pictured with a very nice up and coming Brindle, 

A beautiful brindle that was at the tournament

Chi Chan at just 3 1/2 months 

Chi Chan at just 3 1/2 months

Chi Chan's Father pictured at 2, in the 2002 tournament, a new prodigy of Sudo San

At this tournament I was given the privilege be a sponsor. StoneWall is listed in the list

This is a picture of just some of the flags from the sponsors of the tournament, these are sub sponsors and then there is the sponsor him self

The day before the tournament Hiroki and several others went to the mountains and cut down the Bamboo used to hold the flags

Pictured from left: Michelle, Hiroki with his towel trying to stay cool and Yoko

A gift is given to every winner of each match, the size of the prize depends on the time that the bought lasted, i.e. the time closest to 30min. preferably 29min.59sec. A draw is not considered a win or respectable for your record

Hiroki and  Michelle

Hiroki with Chi Chan's Father

The sponsor of the Tournament accepting flowers from Hiroki. To sponsor the tournament for most is a life time achievement. Most have saved their whole lives to put on such an event. At this local tournament there was an outstanding 206 Tosas entered. At most local tournaments there are only many be 60-100 Tosas. The higher the number of Tosas entered the higher the honor.  

Before starting the tournament all officials enter the ring, I was given the honor to be in the ring with them at this time

This was a tremendous honor for me, I was ask to give a speech to all at the tournament before it began. I was over whelmed by the generosity, It is a rare event that an American is in the Ring and I was the only American ask to give a speech, I received much respect for what I do regarding the Tosa outside Japan. They are very interested in the working aspect, for example, the Schutzhund work, obedience, search and rescue and personal protection. It is an honor for their Tosas to be seen working and shown in a positive aspect world wide.