Dainichi -> Odakan -> KoiPage -> Geert Schrijvers
Geert Schrijvers came, saw and conquered. From the Netherlands he brought his Japanese Koi to Cremona. His barrel was supreme with both the Grand Champion A, Grand Champion B and Supreme Champion A. That does not mean that there is no quality swimming in the other barrels; on the contrary. The level at the Italian Koi Show was overall better and more consistent in almost all classes than in previous years. We will discuss all those majors with you; for now, I want to zoom in with you on the Grand Champion of the 2026 Italian Koi Show.
The Kohaku originating from the Dainichi Koi Farm measured nearly 90 cm at the time of his appearance on the scene in Cremona in Italy. At seven years old a Kohaku that can healthily peak in quality. We speak with Siebe from The KoiPage who selected the fish from Odakan, a breeder and dealer in Japan who previously purchased the Koi from the Mano brothers from the Niigata area. The Koi was a promise from the DS Kohaku bloodline, then in 2023.
I recognized the Koi because she was still swimming at Odakan in the indoor tank in the fall of 2025. Siebe confirmed this suspicion to me. The Koi was put out in the mudpound the years before, but this last year it was kept inside on purpose to work on the beni. Last March the Koi came to the Netherlands and for a long time it was uncertain whether she would be fit enough to compete in a show in Italy, for which she had to be transported again. She turned out to be fit and vital and ready for the show. A choice that turned out well for the Dutch top hobbyist who has been creating quite a furor at home and abroad in recent years.
When we speak to Geert, he is also overjoyed. A special ceremony was held to move the winning Koi to a special vessel meant to behold the grand winner. Sem, while I was preparing my workshop, was already busy photographing and so he shot his first Grand Champion photo for KoiQuestion, the one you see in this article. We are therefore proud of this young photographer who has been learning to master the photo camera for two years.
