The 13th International Junior Koi Show
Sakai and Narita Duo Achieves a Double Win for the Show’s Highest Titles
Mr. Campos Achieves Historic Four-Peat

April 18 and 19, 2026
Venue: Ojiya City General Gymnasium (Niigata Prefecture)

True to its name as an “International” event, this Junior koi show boasts the highest number of participating countries and regions among all national competitions. This year’s show saw participation from 34 countries and regions, with the number of entries increasing by 50 from the previous event to a total of 1,526. Thanks to the advance promotional efforts of the hosting AJNPA Niigata District, a wide and diverse variety of Nishikigoi gathered.
Because the entry sizes ranged from 12 bu to 36 bu, all judging was conducted as bag judging. Under a row of tents, packed entry koi were lined up closely together.
On April 18, with early summer-like warmth spreading across the venue, 30 judges from Japan and abroad gathered at the Ojiya City General Gymnasium. They were organized into teams of five (with one overseas judge assigned to each team). Tomoharu Honma, Chief of the Niigata Prefecture Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Fisheries Division, served as Head Judge.
At this show, first the Grand Champion of Division A and the Grand Champion of Division B were determined. These two koi then competed head‑to‑head to decide the Grand Champion.
First, in Division A selection, the first round of voting saw 11 koi receive votes. The four koi with the highest vote counts were moved to a nomination pool for a second round of voting, but votes were split: 1748 (Kohaku) 9 votes, 1973 (Kohaku) 8 votes, 1756 (Kohaku) 6 votes, 2010 (Taisho Sanshoku) 8 votes. Excluding 1756 (Kohaku), the remaining three went to a third round. 1748 (Kohaku) received 15 votes, while 1973 (Kohaku) and 2010 (Taisho Sanshoku) each received 8 votes. Since no koi reached a majority, an unprecedented re‑vote was held between the two koi that had received 8 votes. As a result, 2010 (Taisho Sanshoku) advanced. In the final runoff against 1748 (Kohaku), the Taisho Sanshoku won by a narrow margin of just one vote to become Division A Grand Champion. Looking back at past national shows, such a split vote is rare, and it can be said that this was an exceptionally high‑level competition where the koi were nearly impossible to separate.
In Division B, five koi received votes, but 2003, an A Ginrin, overwhelmingly dominated with 18 votes, securing Division B Grand Champion in the first round.
With the two finalists decided, voting for Grand Champion began. Would it be the fiercely contested Division A winner, or the Division B winner that had shown overwhelming superiority? The result of the summit showdown was a resounding 29‑to‑2 victory for the Division B Ginrin Sanshoku. This marked the first time in nine shows that the Division B Grand Champion had claimed the Grand Champion title.
The koi was entered by Benedict Campos of the Philippines, bred by Sakai (Hiroshima), handled by Narita Koi Farm (Aichi), and represented by Tategoi House (Philippines).
The Taisho Sanshoku that became the second place of the show’s winner is a 2-year-old 36 cm exhibited by Mr. Donald Kerr of the United Kingdom, and the breeder of this is also Sakai. Handled by Narita Koi Farm and represented by Mr. Nishikigoi (Netherlands) and Exclusively Koi (UK).
Both the Grand Champion and the runner‑up were the same winners as at the previous show. Donald Kerr, widely regarded as one of Europe’s foremost koi enthusiasts who actively participates in Japanese shows, narrowly missed capturing his first title.
The breeder, Sakai, has been making its mark in recent years, winning numerous major awards at national shows, including the Grand Champion at the 61st ZNA International Nishikigoi Show held last November. At the Junior Koi Show, where the maximum size is 36cm, it has historically been difficult for a two‑year‑old koi to overcome the youthful freshness of a tosai; indeed, a two‑year‑old had only claimed the top spot once before. However, Narita Koi Farm’s rearing skills were fully demonstrated, achieving the remarkable feat of a double prize.
The next day, April 19, the Blue Impulse aerobatic team was scheduled to fly over the city center, and visitors from within and outside the prefecture filled the city with an extraordinary sense of excitement.
Blue Impulse is the acrobatic flight team of the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force, based at Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture. The year before last, marking the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake, a demonstration flight had been planned but was canceled due to a typhoon. Thanks to the strong desire of Ojiya City Mayor Etsuo Miyazaki and the citizens, the flight was scheduled to coincide with the International Baby Koi Show.
On this day which became exactly Blue Impulse weather, along with the start at 11 o’clock, a brilliant acrobatic flight was performed over the Shinano River, and a big cheer arose when white trails were drawn in the deep blue sky. For about 25 minutes, it fascinated many people looking up at the sky.
After the awards ceremony, Motoharu Sakai of Sakai, the breeder, was tossed into the air by those involved, celebrating the double prizes.
The Niigata Region Branch actively disseminated updates from the venue via social media throughout the event, putting great effort into sharing information both domestically and internationally. They conveyed the excitement and charm of the International Junior Koi Show not only to the hobbyists who visited the venue but also to Nishigoi fans around the world.