The 61st ZNA International Nishikigoi Show

Mr. Lian Claims Victory at the Traditional ZNA International

Sakai Co., Ltd. Claims Its First National Title

Grand Champion (Rin-oh Prize)
90 chobu / Kohaku / Lian Yunzeng

The 61st ZNA International Nishikigoi Show, the first under the new administration of President Yasuhiko Asada, was held on November 15th and 16th at the Ojiya City General Gymnasium in Niigata Prefecture. The number of entries reached 1,311, surpassing last year’s count and marking the highest attendance in the past five shows. The high quality of the large-sized koi was particularly noteworthy this year.
Judging for the Grand Champion began at 9:00 AM on the first day, with 38 judges meticulously inspecting each of the canvas pools that filled the venue. After the ballots were cast, the 90 chobu Kohaku entered by Mr. Lian Yunzeng (China) was crowned Grand Champion, securing a majority of 20 votes. This 6-year-old, 91cm specimen was bred by Sakai Co., Ltd. (Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima), marking their first major national title. The koi was handled by Narita Koi Farm (Aichi), with Kinmatsu (Niigata) and Daheyuan (China) serving as agents. Gigantic Koi Champion was awarded to a Kohaku bred by Marudo Koi Farm, entered by Mr. Luo Yiu Ho (Hong Kong). This koi had just won the Fisheries Agency Award at the Niigata Prefectural Agriculture Festival the previous week. Despite the “back-to-back” competition schedule, it maintained peak condition and came within a hair’s breadth of the top spot for the second week in a row.
Another top prize was as follows:
Superior Koi Grand Champion / 85bu Taisho Sanshoku / Lian Yunzeng (China)
Mature Koi Grand Champion / 70bu Taisho Sanshoku / Denzel Henson Usman (Indonesia)
Adult Koi Grand Champion / 55bu Male Taisho Sanshoku / Yasuhiko Asada (Osaka)
Young Koi Grand Champion / 40bu Showa Sanshoku / Benedict Campos (Philippines)
Junior Koi Grand Champion / 25bu Kinginrin A / Riaz Khan (South Africa)
Jumbo Prize A / 90bu Kohaku / Herbert Fritch (Northern Midwest, USA)
Jumbo Prize B: 90bu Over Mujimono / Masanobu Maeda (General Participant)
Zippangu Grand Champion / 90bu Kinginrin B/ Herbert Fritch (Northern Midwest, USA)
The 62nd Show is scheduled to be held in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Gigantic Koi Grand Champion
90 chobu / Kohaku / Luo Yiu Ho

Mr. Luo Yaohao (4th from right), Gigantic Koi Champion winner, with associates.

Zippangu Grand Champion
90bu / Kinginrin B / Herbert Fritch