The 41st All Japan Young Koi Show Quick Report 

Momotaro Kohaku Wins Champion by a Single Vote

1,751 Koi Compete in Beauty Under Himeji Castle

 

Grand Champion
63bu Kohaku / Pollapat Junvimaloung(Thailand)
Breeder / Okayama Momotarokoi Handler / Narita Koi Farm Dealer / KOIKICHI FISH FARM

On March 22 and 23, the 41st All Japan Young Koi Show was held at Otemae Park in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. The park, with a stunning view of Himeji Castle—a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a popular venue hosting various events weekly, including this koi show and the annual Kansai Nishikigoi Show.

Given its prime location near Himeji Castle and the rare forecast of clear skies for both days, the event was expected to attract not only koi enthusiasts but also domestic and international tourists.

At 9 AM on the 22nd, the judging began with a panel of 60 judges divided into 12 teams, led by Chief Judge Mr. Joji Konishi, Honorary Advisor of the Promotion Association. The first task was selecting the Grand Champion from among the 1,751 entries. Led by Chief Judge Konishi, all judges carefully examined each koi in the expansive display pools.

Himeji Castle stands against a blue sky behind the koi pools
60 judges deliberate for the Grand Champion title

In the first round of voting, 15 koi received votes (with one invalid vote), but two stood out: Entry No. 2070, a 63-bu Kohaku (13 votes), and Entry No. 2212, another 63-bu Kohaku (21 votes). These two finalists advanced to a head-to-head runoff.

In the decisive second round, Entry No. 2070, the 63-bu Kohaku, made a comeback and clinched the Grand Champion title with a narrow 31-30 victory. The winning koi, bred by Okayama Momotaro Koi, is a three-year-old, 63 cm Kohaku with dazzling red luster and depth, parent koi is “Matsu Kohaku.” Narita Koi Farm handled it. The owner, Thailand’s Pollapat Junvimaloung, was awarded his first national title, while Okayama Momotaro Koi secured its third. The runner-up, a 63-bu Kohaku entered by Yohanes Jusuf, earned the Adult Division Grand Champion (2nd overall) award.

Second Grand Champion(Adult Champion)
63bu Kohaku / Yohanes Jusuf(Indonesia)

Breeder / Sakai Fish Farm Handler / Narita Koi Farm Dealer / Samurai Koi Centre
Mr. Yohanes Jusuf, Adult Champion Runner-up

For the “Grand Champion B”, the first round narrowed the field to three: Entry No. 1777, a 58-bu Goshiki (13 votes); No. 1782, a 63-bu Goshiki (10 votes); and No. 2128, a 63-bu Ginrin A (Ginrin Sanke, 20 votes). In the runoff, No. 1782, the 63-bu Goshiki, overtook No. 2128 with 33 votes to 28. Owned by Indonesia’s Arthur Kai and bred by Kawakami Koi Farm, it was handled by Narita Fish Farm and distributed by Japan Direct Koi Center and KOI-UMEDA JAPAN.

Grand Champion Β
63bu Goshiki / Arthur kai(Indonesia)

Breeder / Kawakami Koi Farm Handler / Narita Koi Farm
Dealer / KOI-UMEDA JAPAN・Japan Direct Koi Center