While the scores weren’t quite as high as in other rounds, I’d have to say that most of these Tenkara Rod Madness Elite Eight matchups were all very evenly matched and hotly contested. The tightest of the four outcomes was decided by a mere four votes!
Elite Eight Results:
(Number of Votes, Links to Rods)
Auger Region
#3 Oni Type III – 78
#8 Nissin Royal Stage 320 (6:4) – 74
The Auger region saw the #3 seed Oni Type III take the crown with a narrow victory over the Nissin Royal Stage 320 (6:4). I don’t think the Sports Books in Vegas thought that one would end up that close, as the Type III got out to a very early lead. However I’m not totally surprised as I personally own both rods and know them both to be exceptional 11-footers.
Stewart Region
#1 TenkaraBum 40 – 70
#6 Nissin Zerosum 360 6:4 – 60
The #1 seed TenkaraBum 40 fought off a strong competitor in the Nissin Zerosum 360 (6:4), and became the only #1 seed in the tournament to win its namesake region. The TBUM 40 is also the longest rod remaining in the tournament, so all of those fans of rods 13-feet or longer may have found their team to back in the Final Four.
Sakakibara Region
#3 TenkaraBum 36 – 113
#8 Karasu 360 – 97
In the Sakakibara region, a fast paced shootout between the #3 seed TenkaraBum 36 and the #8 seed Karasu 360 resulted in a high-scoring win for the TBUM 36. This second win for TenkaraBum rods means half of the rods in the Final Four were designed by Chris Stewart. Say what you will about the “Bum,” his rods definitely have a strong backing.
Galhardo Region
#9 TAO U.N.C. – 88
#11 TAO Bad Axe – 55
Finally, the Galhardo region saw two Tenkara Adventure Outfitters rods face off. The #9 seed U.N.C. easily defeated the #11 Bad Axe by 33 votes, the most lopsided victory of any of the 4 regional champions. Being the shortest rod in the Final Four at 8.5-feet fully extended, it will be looking up at the longer 11, 12, and 13-foot competition the rest of the way.
Let’s Vote In The Final Four!
This is it, this is YOUR Tenkara Rod Madness Final Four! The opportunity to vote through your representatives to the finals is now open! Will it be the iconic camo-clad Oni Type III? Or perhaps one or both rods designed by the similarly camo-clad Chris Stewart – the TenkaraBum 36 & 40? Or does the US Army spec OD green Tenkara Adventure Outfitters U.N.C. shock the world?
Fortunately, you get to decide each rod’s fortune by voting through the Google form below, (or clicking HERE to use the form in a non-embedded format).
Final Four voting in 2021 Tenkara Rod Madness will stay open until approximately 8 PM ET on Thursday, April 1st…. SO DON’T BE A FOOL, get your votes in for your favorite rods on each half of the remaining bracket.
Please remember to scroll all the way to the bottom and click the “Submit” button, or else your votes will not be counted!
The Final Four is finally here… This is what all of these rods have put in the extra hours of practice for all year. Will it pay off? Which two rods will have that clutch performance to advance? We’ll find out very soon. Happy voting and good luck to your favorite rod(s)!
And don’t forget to return on Friday, April 2nd to see the Final Four results and vote in the 2021 Tenkara Rod Madness Championship Game!
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