The best Koi in every size from Merelbeke

Merelbeke was the one-time battleground of the Koi Show in Belgium in 2025. We already wrote about the Major Awards there and we also brought you the Best in varieties. Well; now there are another set of champions and those are the best fish in each length class, regardless of variety. Below we have unlined all seven for you after photographing them. Prac heat fish, piece by piece and because I loved seeing these so much in the contest barrels I have thought to share a few words about each fish as well.

Best in size 1 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Jerome Constant

This koi is truly a special evercsh appearance. She was already good for the baby champion and was also awarded best in size 1. The sumi on this fish is on top as you would not think possible. The drawing is very attractive and the clarity of the skin is especially nice. The tenware on the head of this little guiltless Koi gives the fish contrast and character. In this length it is of course almost impossible to finish a fish already because you want them to develop and yes there is still potential in them. We hope that Jerome has a taste for it and dares to put his head around the corner at the next show. He achieved with this fish the highest attainable at a Koi Show! congratulations.

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Best in size 2 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Jarne Lattre

Beautiful huh! Brand new I would say, but especially those sparkles are quite noticeable. This Kohaku is nice to see. He obviously scores full marks on skin quality probably. The iridophores in the pigmentation is really sublimely high. The maruzome kiwa does finish it off. Very impressive little fish in this size. The beni is already quite deep in color. it reminds me of Hoshikin, but I honestly do not know who is the breeder of this Koi and what we might or should expect from this Kohaku. I think only Jarne knows this and if he wants to; we stay informed ;-).

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Best in size 3 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Sakakoi Wellens

You might have thought so, but the best in size 2 above was not KinGinrin, this one is. And however that KinGinrin is on it is still truly phenomenal. I mentioned it briefly in the article of the best in sizes of Oldenzaal; but the quality of KinGinrin has really increased dramatically in recent years. also the markings and clarity of this Koi and the proportions are right; more than deserved winner therefore.

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Best in Size 4 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Frederik Libens

Then a Kohaku that I do think has a very refined appearance. A particularly good quality what there home in this still slender Koi. The skin quality is really very solid; you notice and see that the evenness of the beni is supersteady and equalizer everywhere. The kiwi is beautiful and also the sashi is really tight. exactly one scale wide and then that odome. I do find that last bit of white such an impeccable advantage in judging a Koi; lovely. The playful head pattern, simplicity and charming appearance make this a deserved winner.

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Best in Size 5 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Wim de Wit

We stay with the Kohaku because Grand Champion owner Wim de Wit also managed to bring a prize worthy Kohaku to Merelbeke. This will surely be a Sakai fish considering the build, the cheeks; those cheeks he. What a cool head, what a beautiful wide and long head with the eyes so beautifully on the side and although it may seem at the top right now as if the head is out of proportion; the future will show that she is perfectly matched again the rest of the body for an extraordinarily impressive appearance. Typical one of those fish that I say; keep an eye on this one!

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Best in Size 6 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Pascal Vandercammen

This Koi just has it all; contrast, depth, skin quality, favor factor, charming, full build; this is just an insane fish; this is just pure beauty. Not perfect; certainly not, but the Koi has so many qualities such as a beautiful tancho spot, clear skin, plenty of shine receptors in the skin, motoguru. I am curious to see how far Pascalle manages to grow this Tancho Showa. We briefly interviewed the hobbyist; soon to be seen on KoiQuestion.com.

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Best in Size 7 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Mark Breedveld

Of course, in the larger sizes, becoming Best in Size is a big deal because it probably also means that your Koi fell just outside the majors. For this Kohaku, Best in Size was most definitely a deserved win. This bi-color is just show-ready. A wide build and look closely at the backbone; what a powerful impression that gives hehe! The sashi and kiwi are show ready and this Kohaku just does it. Nice odome, ideally a little wider still, but this is also rock solid. Beautiful torpedo; best in size 7!

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Best in Size 8 – Belgian Koi Show 2025

Owner: Kim’s Koi

How could it be otherwise than that this Showa; the Mature Champion of Kim’s Koi also becomes the best in Size 8; which is more than justified. Kim Cloet told me the fish came from Dainichi Toyota, but the exact bloodline he had to remain indebted to me. I think there is Monster bloodline in it versus a Dainichi Showa. But the motoguru really doesn’t get any prettier than this; exciting pattern, nice full build and the white is really white on this fish. The sumi is tight in many places. Maybe still a tategoi!

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We have more from Belgium; yes no joke. We popped extra fish on the picture that don’t have them here or among the other awards and those w will be shared soon too. For now I want to congratulate all winners, thank again the organization led by Dirk de Witte and I am more dna gladly honor next year!