Filip & Els Poppe shine with Runner-Up 63BU Kohaku – and many more European honors at this prestigious Koi show
Two days later I was already able to sell them for a multiple to a Japanese breeder but resolutely refused that offer
A meeting in the early hours
The winning Kohaku was bred by Matsue Nishikigoi Center and selected during their final Nisai harvest in 2024. Siebe van Tilburg, who was selecting Niigata Nisai with Odakan at the time, remembers the moment well:
Koi is from Matsue and came from his last Nisai harvest of 2024. We were at Matsue’s doorstep at 06:00 and there she was swimming. I had seen her at Matsue a week earlier, but then she was “not for sale”.
When I later came with Odakan, she was suddenly for sale though. When I saw the koi swimming, I talked to Filip via Messenger. By chance, he was still awake and asked a question about koi. I sent a short video of the fish and he was also sold. The fish, however, not yet, as we had to wait a long time for the price. Fortunately, it was all good in the end. For Filip night work, for me early morning work but a top koi richer. Biggest and probably best 2sai within Matsue Win for Matsue, win for Odakan, win for Filip & win for me.
Matsue prepared her for this show after this. After all, she fit the size exactly. Before the show started we knew it was going to be tough, as this class is filled with sansai. Yet she managed to win a great prize. In terms of shape it really is a bizarre nisai, huge and wide. Seemed like a year older than her peers. She will remain in Japan for a while, under the watchful eye of Odakan.
“To be able to buy such a promising koi you have to have some luck AND they also have to grant it to you. That one really stood out because of her size and body compared to the other Nisai. The fact that I have five azukari swimming at Odakan played into my cards to be allowed to buy them! Two days later I could have sold them for a multiple to a Japanese breeder, but firmly refused that offer.
According to Matsue and Odakan she was ready to take her chance as a Nisai against the Sansai who are more advanced in terms of development . This is why I entered her because I trust Odakan and also have a good relationship with him when he came to visit me at home in August 2023. The intention is for her to remain azukari for another two or three years .”
Filip was confident. Despite an offer of a multiple of the purchase price – from none other than Taniguchi – he decided not to sell her. “According to Matsue and Odakan, she was ready to take her chance against the Sansai. That’s why I entered her,” Filip says. “She will remain azukari in Japan for at least two to three more years.”
His bond with Odakan, who even came to visit him in Belgium in 2023, gave the final push. And the result? An impressive Runner-Up at the All Japan Young Koi Show – and wonderful recognition for Filip, who previously won runner-up at the AJKS 2024 in the 80bu class with a Sanke.
Other European achievements: Netherlands in the spotlight
In addition to Filip & Els Poppe’s achievement, other Dutch and Belgian hobbyists also won prizes:
- Patrick Makkes – Runner-Up 33BU Sanke (Kondo / Narita Koi Farms)
- Geert Schrijvers – Runner-Up 23BU Kohaku (Miyatake Nishikigoi / Narita Koi Farms)
- Ben Smit – Runner-Up 48BU Kawarigoi (Taniguchi) AND 18BU GinrinB (Kibi Nishikigoi)
- Raymond Woerts – Runner-Up 38BU Kohaku (Dainichi Niigata)
- Roel Janssen – Runner-Up 15BU GinrinA (Kibi Nishikigoi)
Ben Smit commented enthusiastically on his double achievement, “Very happy with the two second places at the All Japan Young Koi Show. Both koi purchased from The Koi Page through Mr. Nishikigoi. A beautiful tosai Ginrin Showa from Kibi Koi Farm and a Karashi Asagi from Taniguchi Koi Farm. The Kibi Showa also previously won at the All Japan Koi Show in January and we hope to follow up at the 12th International Junior Koi Show in Ojiya in April.”
Manuela Bresselo, customer of Rob de Vos – Japan Koi Service – also made history: she won the Best in Variety 63BU with her Asagi by Otsuka. A prize of stature at a show where only the very best compete. And then there was Iwan Lambers, customer of Kim’s Koi from Belgium, who managed to win 1st prize with a Kohaku from Tamaura, accompanied by none other than Narita Koi Farm.
A setting to dream away
Andre de Groot of Interkoi Almeide was also present in Ojiya and talks about his experience:
“Although the set-up is different than in the Netherlands, the show exudes pure passion for Koi, which is especially evident in such a special place. The castle, situated on a mountain, forms an impressive backdrop and is a feast for the eyes. At a later date I would like to return with my wife to really discover Japan. It remains a fascinating country that manages to enchant again and again.”
A winner among the runner-ups
To prove that it was not just about second places, Siebe van Tilburg also managed to secure a victory with a winning 18BU fish. This Koi came from a Sakai SuperMango cross and was made possible by breeder Takumi Miya. A fish with potential and a bright future in the show ring.
Why this show matters
The All Japan Young Koi Show is important because this is where the future potential of Koi is examined. Fish that win here are not necessarily tomorrow’s Grand Champions, but they do show a top quality genetic and aesthetic foundation. The participation of Dutch and Belgian hobbyists at this level emphasizes that our region can compete at the absolute top of the Nishikigoi world.
