160 Nishikigoi Compete for Beauty in Brazil
The 1st Koikichi Show 2026 Held

The 1st Koikichi Show 2026, hosted by Koikichi Club Brasil, was held over three days, from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30, at Garagem 55 in São Paulo, Brazil.
Around 160 Nishikigoi were entered. The show had an impressive scale for a first-time event, and the strong passion of local hobbyists was evident throughout.
Mr. Henry Wong, President of the Singapore Koi Club, served as Chief Judge. He was joined by Mr. Siebe van Tilburg (Koi Wish B.V.) of the Netherlands, Mr. Taro Kodama (Kodama Koi Farm), and local judges, forming a truly international judging panel.
Judging was divided into Category A, covering the Gosanke, and Category B, covering all other varieties. Grand Champion A went to a 75bu Kohaku entered by Mr. Paulo Rogério dos Santos. Mr. Paulo acquired the koi as a four-year-old and has raised it in his home pond for four years. The judges were impressed by its dignified presence, noting the striking, well-balanced three-step pattern on such a large body.
Grand Champion B went to an 80bu Shiroutsuri entered by Mr. Rafael Caetano Francisco, who also chaired the show’s organizing committee. Besides its remarkable size, the koi was praised for its exceptional body shape and volume, true to a large fish, which gave it an overwhelming presence.
“Besides the two top winners, many other koi lovingly raised by hobbyists were on show. It made me realize how widely the culture of taking time to enjoy koi as they grow has spread,” said Mr. Kodama.
He continued: “The club has more than 100 active members, and at the show, people weren’t simply competing to see whose koi was best. It was heartwarming to see hobbyists gathering around the koi, socializing and learning from one another. The koi were of a much higher level than I had expected, and the passion of the local hobbyists completely changed my image of koi in Brazil. It was a wonderful show. I hope it will grow into an important place where Brazilian hobbyists can enjoy koi, learn, and connect with one another.”
Mr. Rafael, chairman of the organizing committee, expressed his determination to build on this experience and make future shows even more rewarding.
(Materials provided by Kodama Koi Farm)

Grand Champion A / 75bu Kohaku
Paulo Rogério dos Santos
Grand Champion B / 80bu Shiroutsuri
Rafael Caetano Francisco

Paulo Rogério dos Santos
Rafael Caetano Francisco