55th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show News Update.
Yuan Jiandong won for the Second Time.

The Showa won a close contest and is the World Champion for the first time in 10 competitions.

The All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show is the culmination of the koi show season, starting in the previous autumn and stands as the most significant event for many koi industry professionals and hobbyists. This year’s, the 55th time, took place over six days, from January 21st (Tuesday) for setup to January 26th (Sunday) for the teardown at the Tokyo Distribution Centre, Hall 1. Participants from 26 countries and regions attended, with 1,843 koi filling the venue.

The number of entries was slightly reduced by more than 170 compared to the previous year. However, considering the venue’s capacity is nearing its limit, this reduction shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a negative. One possible explanation for the decrease could be the “strict selection of koi for entry.” It is evident when looking at just one row of pools in the venue, where it becomes clear that many exhibitors are entering only koi with strong competitive potential. The competition level has been steadily increasing year after year. And particularly with “Gosanke”, it’s no longer unusual for koi that would easily be contenders for division or section champion titles at regional koi shows to leave without awards at the All Japan. What were once considered “underdog” varieties and bu are now seeing more high-quality koi entered, making the standards for winning much higher.
At 10:00 AM on Friday the 24th, the judging for the ‘World Champion’ title began. This year, the number of judging teams was expanded from 12 to 14. The adjustment was made to distribute the responsibilities among teams better, ensuring a more balanced judging process in terms of time. However, the total number of judges (80 plus 1 chief judge) stayed the same.
The overall championship was judged by Chief Judge Yutaka Suga (Honorary Advisor of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association), with all judges lining up and meticulously inspecting each exhibit pool. Their pace was slow, and their expressions were serious and focused.
Finally, the voting began. From team 1 to team 14, Chief Judge Suga cast the last vote, and the counting process commenced. Given the large number of 81 ballots and the critical importance of accuracy in the tallying, this step always takes time. As the process unfolded, the tension built toward the climax.
The results showed votes for eight koi, with the top vote-getters being as follows: the Taisho Sanshoku (no. 2275) from the 95 bu received 29 votes, followed by the Showa Sanshoku (no. 1004) from the 95 bu with 27 votes, and the Kohaku (no. 2331) from the 95 bu with 10 votes. The Taisho Sanshoku (no. 2256) from the 95 bu received nine votes. Two koi received two votes each, and two koi received one vote each. The top three koi advanced to the second round of voting.
The second round of voting was expected to be inconclusive due to the close competition between the top two koi. However, as the votes were counted, Showa secured 37 votes, while Taisho Sanshoku received 35. With this, Showa made a comeback and took the lead.
The decisive final vote was an intense showdown where a comeback was still possible. Would it be Showa, claiming victory for the first time in 10 competitions, or Taisho Sanshoku, the 53rd All Japan champion, looking to continue its momentum? In the end, by a narrow margin of just three votes, the winner was entry number 1004—the 95bu Showa Sanshoku exhibited by Yuan Jiandong (China). This koi, bred by Dainichi Koi Farm had previously won the Grand Champion title at the 63rd Niigata Nishikigoi Show (Agricultural Festival) in 2023. Mr. Yuan acquired the koi in the fall of 2024 through Sanshin Trading It was raised in a concrete pond at Dainichi Koi Farm before entering the competition at seven years old and 96 cm in length. The parent koi is “BIG BANG.”

Compared to its appearance when it won at the Agricultural Festival, the sumi pattern has changed significantly, creating a Showa that beautifully balances vibrant red, pure white, and an impressive body structure. The Showa champion has not been seen since the 45th competition (bred by Okayama Momotaro Koi), and it is surprisingly the first time since the 43rd competition that Dainichi Koi Farm has won with a Showa. Over the past 10 years, Kohaku has stood out at the All Japan competition, but the success of Showa and Taisho Sanshoku will undoubtedly bring even more enjoyment to Nishikigoi enthusiasts.

The Colossal Champion was awarded to the 95bu Taisho Sanshoku (exhibited by Ryuhei Tanaka, bred by Sakai Fish Farm and handled by Narita Koi Farms). This koi advanced to the final round of voting and secured the title by defeating the 95bu Kohaku, which had placed third in the first round of the Grand championship voting with 10 votes. It had also won the same award at the previous competition, showcasing a powerful physique that surpassed the Showa, but fell just short of securing the Grand Champion title. The final result for the Kohaku was the Jumbo Prize A Award (exhibited by Pan Zhicheng, bred and handled by Sakai Fish Farm and represented by Nakamori Trade). Other top-ranking koi are shown in the photographs, and foreign exhibitors stood out at this competition.

At the social party on the evening of Saturday, the 25th, Mr Yuan expressed his gratitude to Dainichi Koi Farm and he said, “It is truly wonderful that such a Showa was produced, and it has allowed me to experience the joy of Nishikigoi once again.” When he purchased the koi last autumn, he thought it was still too early to enter it in the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show due to its body thickness and the development of the sumi. Still, its appearance had changed significantly by the All Japan.
Mr. Yuan achieved his second Grand Champion title at All Japan and was also named the first-ever champion at the inaugural World Nishikigoi Show held last November. As one of the most prominent and rapidly emerging enthusiasts, there is no doubt that his future accomplishments will continue to impress. They are expected to use the knowledge they gained to help promote and advance Nishikigoi in their home countries.
The award ceremony was attended by several recipients, with champion Mr. Yuan at the forefront. During the photo session, those involved gathered on stage around him, and the event ended with the traditional celebratory tossing of the winner.
Although the number of entries decreased slightly this year, the venue had limited space. In particular, the area for commercial booths shares space with the Dream Koi Exhibition, making the aisles relatively narrow. When large crowds gather, moving can become nearly impossible, so improvements in this area are definitely needed.
As the event gains global attention year by year, securing more space would likely lead to more exhibitors. This would enhance attendees’ enjoyment and foster more significant interaction among industry professionals, contributing to the growth and development of the Nishikigoi industry.
Foreign exhibitors have won the Grand Champion for seven consecutive at All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, giving it a distinctly international vibe. While the growing globalization is a positive trend, there remains hope that Japanese participants, the originators of Nishikigoi, will continue to excel.
Will Mr. Tanaka, who is so close to victory, continue to face intense competition from foreign contenders in the future? And who will emerge as the third force after Dainichi and Sakai? The excitement is already building as we look ahead to the next competition.