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CALUMET -- The 54th annual Coca Cola International Frisbee Tournament in Calumet definitely was a success.  Sixteen teams battled for the Julius T. Natchazel trophy at Agassiz Field.

This is guts Frisbee, where two five-man teams face off fourteen meters apart, trying to throw the Frisbee through the defense, or trying to make the defense drop the disc.

All teams were guaranteed six matches:  three through round robin play and three through bracket play.

An International Frisbee Hall of Fame was established at the Calumet Coliseum.

This year's event featured the return of two Japanese teams that finished first and second at the 50th annual I.F.T. in 2007.  "We had local sponsors, businesses help support getting them here," said Frisbee Tournament Committee member Dennis Walikainen.  "And we want to make it the International tournament.  We want to do the same thing next year, possibly with Finland or another country. So we think this is a permanent inclusion for the I.F.T. from here on out."

After an injury though, the international team needed some help to fill their roster.  Dave Meyer was happy to join the team.  "They needed an extra man because their star and coach broke his foot the other day playing ultimate," said the Joliet, Illinois native.  "So it's my pleasure to help them out.  It'll be interesting.  We'll have a little bit of communication problem with the language, but I think the language of guts will take over, and we'll have a lot of fun out there."

The I.F.T. raised funds to benefit the Japanese Red Cross to help with the devastating results of the earthquake and tsunami.

The Boomtown Saints from Lansing defeated Blame the Dog (21-15, 21-16) for the second consecutive year in the Championship match.  One of the Japanese teams, Luigi's Rising Sun, finished fourth. The highest finishing local team was the Keweenaw Mountain Men in fifth place.