The best Koi in Great Britain 2024
As if they already knew it, Bernie Woollands was waiting for us with six kilos of licorice; he was delighted that Sem and I came to take pictures of the champions. That came in handy because we were honored to do that in England at this show; something I did a previous edition. Cool! The quality was high; among the main prize winners there were no concessions. The grand Champion we already wrote about, but what about the Superior Champion; the equivalent of the Supreme Champion and I was also particularly impressed by the Sanke that occupied the main prizes as well as the Young Champion Kohaku; what a quality.
Grand Champion – Kohaku owned by David Gardner
This Kohaku is absolutely impressive; just for the fact that it is a male. which was confirmed by the owner and his son. A very powerful build without the true bulk, but still voluminous paired with very good skin quality and even Beni make this fish the best in England. The Koi most at the show 81 centimeters, as indicated quite an achievement for a male Koi to appear at this length in this quality.
Best Non Gosanke – Goshiki owned by Rob Whittel
Impressive Goshiki; Rarely seen such a massive Goshiki say. A particularly striking head with that red mask and a great pattern for a Goshiki. We rarely see Goshiki reach this length and volume and especially with an uncontaminated red pattern. Technically a Maruten Yondan Goshiki. We do not count the tiny bit of red in the tail fin as a pattern. Magnificent Koi; no doubt this five-color eats its plate empty. Notice how beautiful that effect is also from the outline of the scales; gem Rob Whittel!
Superior Champion – Kohaku owned by Daniel Beckman
Superior Champion – Kohaku owned by Daniel Beckman – All England Koi Show 2024
Textbook Sandan Kohaku by Mr. Beckman. The maruten spot on the head which with a nice shoulder pattern linked together forms the first pattern is followed by two well distributed red patterns on the back and tail part. In the photo, the fukurin on the fish is also clearly visible. The physique is elongated, full, but not too massive.The Beni is of good quality. The fish has an outstanding odome. This means that the final Beni pattern leaves room for just enough shiroji (white skin) before the tail set in. As a result, the tail looks very powerful. This fish is all about balance. Handsome Kohaku Daniel!
Jumbo Champion – Hikari Muji Musashi Ogon owned by David Gardner
In addition to the Grand, David also brought home the largest fish. With this Musashi Ogon, he managed to seal the Jumbo Champion. See the skin quality on this Jumbo Musashi Ogon? The fukurin is so dense on it that the scales become proportionally smaller because there is so much skin showing around it, which in turn has an amazing luster. It is David Gardner’s first time ever competing in a Koi Show; he knows he has good fish; but to win two major awards is something he could never have hoped for. Congratulations; we hope to see you more often now David.
Mature Champion – Sanke owned by Lloyd Shepherd
A personal favorite really was this Sanke from Lloyd Shepherd. Good for Mature Champion. Playful, streamlined, very quality Kasane Sumi. The final Beni pattern on the ozutsu still makes all the difference. very cool this sanke. The head is slightly narrow, but not disturbing for now; but for when the fish gains even more mass. The Beni is of a very soft quality. Do you also see the sparkles in the shoulder area that witness the high skin quality? It gives the fish one youthful appearance.
Adult Champion – Sanke owned by Emma & Phill David
Hey there you have Marilyn Monroe with her beauty spot. Look; show wise we can agree that sumi does not belong on the head of a Sanke, but surely no one can and in their right mind say that this does not make the fish uniquely charming? Sometimes you have to dare to interpret the rules and recognize beauty in the individual. Of course, this only works if the rest of the fish is also correct and in this case it is. The Broad head, body and the formidable Beni pattern where the sumi does seem to be accurately placed in it is bizarrely cool. The Kasane sumi on the shoulder is of course the most important element of the fish; there the sumi is critical to the balance of the fish.Unilaterally the fish has tejima. Beautiful fish that Emma and Phill David will no doubt be delighted with.
Young Champion – Kohaku owned by Lee Manning
Here I watched together with Ruud Besems and Ronald Stam who also watched these Koi full of admiration. Although flanked by many big boys, this smaller Kohaku still stood out head and shoulders above them. Once again we see a balanced pattern. The koi has two exciting sections, namely where the first pattern, seems to virtually meet the second yet shows just enough shiroji to stand apart. Where the second pattern meets the third we see that the sashi and kiwi overlap causing the patterns to merge. Again, this is fine and allowed as long as it does not form a weakness in the pattern. You can still see that it is slightly lighter, but the pattern is dense.
Lee Manning has put down a wonderful barrel
Nice pectoral fins, nice head, everything in proportion and again a good odome he. This is really secretly one important element in Koi and pattern though. It just gives the Koi balance. Lee Manning has created a beautiful vessel and we hope that he will have many years of quality enjoyment from this Kohaku. We are curious to see how the Beni develops where the second and third patterns merge.
Baby Champion – Utsurimono/ Shiro Utsuri owned by John Bunker
The last and smallest champion among the great champions is an Usturimono. And that’s not very surprising, mind you. So this black and white is small, but still manages to catch the attention of everyone walking by. The contrast on the fish is so strong, the skin quality also visible on the photo head with many iridophores a very youthful appearance. The Menware is natural to savor and there is a good balance in the alternation of white and black. The pectoral fins do not yet show a symmetrtic motoguru, but when it is so fanned out; that is often a sign that the Koi has not yet finished.John Bunker should be proud of this award and when in the opportunity we would love to see this fish in a future update as well.
