Pierre-Olivier Comte wins with male Dainichi Kohaku
In a digital age where koi shows are becoming increasingly innovative, the Online European Koi Show 2025 reached a milestone. The Grand Champion title went to “Amazing Boy,” a male Kohaku measuring a whopping 82 cm, from the renowned Dainichi Koi Farm. This Gosai-koi, owned by Pierre-Olivier Comte, stole the show with its overwhelming appearance and was awarded according to the new APKI guidelines.
An exceptional male champion
“Amazing Boy” is a rare example of how a male Koi can compete in every way with its female counterparts. This Kohaku comes from Dainichi’s DMM bloodline. His powerful body, intense beni and sharp kiwa made him a logical winner although it was close according to the judges themselves.
From grower to champion: a European success story
Pierre-Olivier Comte acquired this champion from Les Jardins Aquatiques, a leading French dealer. The success shows that European hobbyists can achieve absolute excellence with knowledge and dedication. The choice of a male fish also highlights the shifting focus in the hobby, where potency, skin quality weigh as much as gender.
APKI judging sets new standard
Unique to this edition of the Online European Koi Show was the application of the APKI guidelines, a new judging method officially deployed within Europe since 2025. This set of standards offers transparency, objectivity and international alignment in judging. KoiQuestion previously wrote about this phenomenon and closely follows this development.
Jury with expertise: Ruud Besems and Ronald Stam
The evaluation of the Grand Champion was conducted under the direction of renowned judges Ruud Besems and Ronald Stam. Their assessment took place in accordance with APKI rules, which ensured a uniform and fair evaluation. With years of experience as judges, they bring not only expert knowledge, but also the integrity that comes with the new standard.
Why Amazing Boy excelled
What distinguished this Dainichi-Kohaku was his balanced body, symmetrical pattern and intensely pure shiroji. The skin quality was exceptional, and despite its masculine nature, it showed the softness, refinement and structure usually associated with female champions. A unique achievement in the digital realm of European koi competitions.
A digital future for the Nishikigoi hobby
The Online European Koi Show 2025 proves that virtual competitions have a full place in the modern hobby. With strong competitors, revamped judging and transparency through APKI, the Nishikigoi world is on the eve of a new standard. And with champions like Amazing Boy, the bar has immediately been set high.
