IGFA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED TO JEAN-FRANCOIS HELIAS
 

Jean-Francois Helias, an IGFA Representative of Thailand and freelance fishing writer who has established over 100 world records, both as a guide and angler, and has been featured in numerous magazines promoting and educating anglers of Thai species, was presented with the IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award during the 5th Annual World Record Achievement Awards ceremony.
 

RANKED 1st - 2007 IGFA TOP 10 MALE FRESHWATER ANGLERS
 

With 17 world records set within the calendar year 2007, Jean-Francois Helias’ accomplishments earned him the number one ranking among the world’s ten best IGFA freshwater male anglers. Jean-Francois was presented with the award for his achievement at the 5th Annual World Record Achievement Awards ceremony held at the IGFA headquarters in Florida in April 2008.
 

RANKED 2nd - 2007 IGFA FRESHWATER CAPTAIN
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 3 Freshwater Captains/Guides based on verified world records set by their clients within the calendar year. For 2007, customers of Jean-Francois Helias set twenty one recognized world records. These accomplishments rank him among the world’s top three IGFA freshwater professional captains/guides. The success rate earned him a certificate of award presented during the IGFA World Record Achievement Awards ceremonies of 2008.
 

RANKED 3rd - 2006 IGFA FRESHWATER CAPTAIN
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 3 Freshwater Captains/Guides based on verified world records set by their clients within the calendar year. For 2006, customers of Jean-Francois Helias set seven recognized world records. These accomplishments rank him among the world’s top three IGFA freshwater professional captains/guides. The success rate earned him a certificate of award presented during the IGFA World Record Achievement Awards ceremonies of 2007.
 

RANKED 2nd - 2006 IGFA TOP 10 FEMALE FRESHWATER ANGLERS
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 10 Female Freshwater Anglers in accordance with the number of world records verified within the calendar year. For the year 2006, Anongnart “Lek” Sungwichien-Helias, the wife of Jean-Francois Helias, gained the ranking of second outright for her achievements.

The World Record Achievement Awards ceremony was held in Florida and Lek was unable to attend. Rebecca Reynolds-Wright, the IGFA world record administrator, accepted the certificate of award on Lek’s behalf as presented by IGFA President Rob Kramer.
 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED TO JEAN-FRANCOIS HELIAS
 

In October 2006, Jean-Francois was presented the Snakehead Angling Society Lifetime Achievement Award by the societies founder Derek Radoski. Jean-Francois is the unequivocal master of snakehead fishing. He has developed his technique to perfection, registering 17 IGFA world records for snakehead species as part of the 32 records that he currently holds. He is the first and only angler to receive this prestigious honor as recognition for his many and continuing contributions to the sport of snakehead angling.
 

RANKED 2nd tied - 2005 IGFA TOP 10 FEMALE FRESHWATER ANGLERS
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 10 Female Freshwater Anglers according to the number of verified world records within the calendar year. For the year 2005, Jean-Francois’ wife, Anongnart “Lek” Sungwichien-Helias, achieved a second place tie.
 

RANKED 6th - 2005 IGFA TOP 10 MALE FRESHWATER ANGLERS
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 10 Freshwater Anglers based on the number of verified world records documented within the calendar year. For the year 2005, Jean-Francois captured four world records, earning him sixth place.
 

SALWEEN RIVER INVITATIONAL FISHING TOURNAMENT 2004
 

In December 2004, Jean-Francois Helias was the first foreign angler ever invited to participate in a fishing competition on the Salween River. This mighty river originates in Tibet and stretches over 3,200 kilometers as it defines the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

The event is organized by local authorities and the Salween Preservation Fishing Club to coincide with the annual Karen refugee festival. The Karen people are indigenous to this area. A diploma was presented to Jean-Francois in recognition of his efforts for promoting both this event and general sport fishing in Thailand.
 

RANKED 3rd - 2003 IGFA TOP 10 FRESHWATER ANGLERS
 

The IGFA ranks the Top 10 Freshwater Anglers according to the number of verified world records within the calendar year. For the year 2003, Jean-Francois’ eight world records placed him in the top three.
 

SNAKEHEAD ANGLER OF THE YEAR 2001
 

In 2001, Jean-François was awarded the coveted Snakehead Angler of the Year trophy for his record catches during that year’s fishing season. He received the prestigious trophy from the hands of his friend and mentor Sanghop Chanchai, himself one of Thailand’s very best snakehead anglers.
 

KHAO LAEM FISHING TOURNAMENT 2001
 

Unlike his Father, Edmond Helias, Jean-François has never been attracted to competitive sport fishing. Because of his friendship    with the Thai organizers, he made an exception by taking part in the Khao Laem Fishing Tournament of 2001. Two of Jean-Francois’ Fishing Adventures Thailand teams participated that day, along with 34 local teams made up of the very best lure anglers in the country. They won the trophy in the Jungle Perch category and ended respectively in 2nd and 6th place for the overall contest.