Holland Koi Show 2025 in Appeltern: Rob van der Hulst’s Formidable Kohaku
Rob van der Hulst conquers Grand Champion
This year the Grand Champion title went to Rob van der Hulst with his beautiful Kohaku from Sakai Fish Farm. This Kohaku had previously been named Grand Champion at the 2024 European Koi Show in Oldenzaal, where he also captured the Grand Champion title, after Rob had been absent from the Koi Shows for five years.
A Kohaku of exceptional quality
The asset of this Kohaku lies in its subtle and perfect odome – that last piece of white skin in front of the tail created by a sharp, neat kiwa – combined with a creative pattern where both sashi and kiwa are exceptionally cleanly applied. That makes this fish a true masterpiece in terms of both difficulty and visual impact. Rob thus returns to the highest podium of the Holland Koi Show which he last conquered in 2017 must also be a Kohaku.
Rob met this Kohaku during a trip in Japan, accompanied by Interkoi Ameide. He purchased her directly from Sakai Fish Farm. At home, it was able to develop perfectly in his 50-cubic-inch indoor pond – an impressive stage for such an exceptional Koi that he now sees cashed in at the Holland Koi Show 2025.
Below you can see the Kohaku on the right as GC in 2024 in Oldenzaal and on the left as Supreme Champion in Oldenzaal in 2025. It becomes clear that especially the body has increased greatly. The was always technically very good, but is now also really massive as can be seen in the picture taken by Johan of Koi Zanmai above.
Consistency and mastery in growing
Rob spent five years developing this fish since his previous success in 2017 at the Holland Koi Show. This shows his ability to continuously breed and maintain high-quality Koi – not just a casual winner, but a constant force in the hobby. In doing so, he left behind hobbyists Ramon and Jolien – who took their Kohaku home with a win two years in a row – among others.
In the video below where the Kohaku won his first Grand Champion title in 2024 at the European koi Show in Oldenzaal; Rob told his story about this Koi, the purchase and his vision:
Recent in-depth reporting
KoiQuestion brought extensive coverage of Rob’s successes in Oldenzaal. In the piece “Grand Champion European Koi Show 2024″ his Grand Champion Kohaku is nicely highlighted.
And in “Triple Triumph for Rob van der Hulst in Oldenzaal” his unparalleled achievement – with Grand, Supreme AND Mature Champion – is detailed.
Renewed allure for Appeltern
With the show now centrally located in Appeltern, the allure it once knew in Arcen is revived. The location now offers better accessibility for visitors from all over the country, bringing positive dynamics for the future of the Koi Show Appeltern. As many as some 6,000 enthusiasts were estimated by the Nishikigoi Association Netherlands to have visited the atmospheric venue.
All in all, the Holland Koi Show 2025 confirmed the craftsmanship of Rob van der Hulst. With his Sakai Fish Farm Kohaku, he delivered a visually and technically brilliant performance.
