Winners IKS23
In addition to the major awards, we also have an award for the best of all varieties. Not at every show do we get to capture these on film as well, but in Cremona we certainly succeeded. We take you through the 15 best fish in their class in this article.
The ZNA, Ronald Stam explained to us, has made the rules such that it is permissible for Grand Champions to carry a best in variety title as well. Originally, the Grand Champion was excluded from any other award because she already has the highest honor. So at least the Kohaku here is the best of its kind as well, and so is the Grand champion B in the class for Best Doitsu.
Best in Variety Kohaku – Italian Koi Show 2023 – Matteo Bondioli
Best in Variety Sanke – Italian Koi Show 2023
The best in variety Sanke, a koi from Fastlab, has very white skin, but is not at all finished and still has the world of potential. The Koi can double its value when the Sumi on the shoulder comes through and the width of the Koi increases. Beautiful natural maruten spot and the remaining Sumi is well distributed.
Best in Variety Showa – Italian Koi Show 2023
The best in variety showa also definitely competed. I find the nose a little too pointed, but the rest of the body is very well balanced. The pattern is beautiful with on the shoulder also a nice piece of maruzome Kiwa that I love so much.
Best in Variety Utsurimono – Italian Koi Show 2023
Nice to see that the best in variety is Utsurimono and koi that was bred in Italy itself. Indeed, I was there when this Shiro made its rounds as tosai. When I find another old photo I will certainly pay some attention to its development. Nice for the breeder Fabio Ciotti who was also present at the show as part of team KoiQuestion, to see his own brood back several years later and good for the title; best of its kind.
Best in Variety Tancho – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Goromo – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Goshiki – Italian Koi Show 2023
The best in variety Goshiki I personally found to be a very swirling fish to see in terms of quality. The Beni is really vibrant and the contrast effect super nice. A great pattern and beautifully large fins; truly a specimen to savour.
Best in Variety Asagi – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Shusui – Italian Koi Show 2023
I also thought the best in variety shusui from Italy was apt. Not necessarily my personal taste, but the fish is real quality. Viewed from above, the fish is virtually white except for that blue zipper on the back, but more importantly, there are no further shimis to be found on this Koi that is already quite the size too.
Best in Variety Doitsu – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Kawarimuji – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Hikari Utsurimono – Italian Koi Show 2023
I found the best in variety Hikari Utsuri to be the least of the bunch. In terms of body and skin quality, I don’t have much to comment on but for a best in its class, I do expect something more in terms of color intensity of the Sumi and sharpness of the patterns. The competition in this class was also not huge.
Best in Variety Hikari Moyomono – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety Hikari Mujimono – Italian Koi Show 2023
Best in Variety KinGinrin – Italian Koi Show 2023
The best in variety KinGinRin is a rather large fish; a kawarimuji with very nice proportions of head. However, it is of course about the ginrin itself as well. This was also super on top; richly present. The Koi sparkles when viewed from all sides.
Pictures by: Tiebo Jacobs; edited by Marco Zegers. Special thanks to Pieter Heurter.
