The Heroes of Hulsbeek

An overview of the most important awards: the Major Awards at the European Koi Show 2026

They’ve already been featured extensively on our Facebook page, but for the sake of contemporary historical record-keeping and documentation, the champions certainly can’t be left out here either. Did you know that KoiQuestion has the largest database of historical data, information, and photos in the world of Koi? On our website, you can easily find virtually all the winners of Elle Koi Shows held over the past 10–15 years in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Italy. Soon, we’ll also make this conveniently accessible via a menu so you can easily look up, by show and by year, who won which prizes and when—almost all accompanied by an original photo from KoiQuestion. We’re also proud that we’re able to complete these lists with the help of our partners.

So that’s coming up, but for now, here are this year’s winners from Oldenzaal. That was quite a stunning display of Koi art, after all.

Grand Champion A – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Rob van Hulst Dealer: Interkoi Ameide

Supreme Champion two years ago, Grand last year, and defending champion this year. This Kohaku is definitely no flash in the pan. Matsue is once again the top supplier of the best Koi at the show this year. Ron van der Hulst selected the Koi himself during a trip to Japan with his dealer, Interkoi Ameide. After an absence from Koi shows, the hobbyist has now won the grand prize in Oldenzaal for the third time in a row, and with this hat trick, he has proven himself unbeatable—for now—on the fields of the Hulsbeek.

________________________________________________

Grand Champion B – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Interkoi Almeide | Breeder: Momotaro Koi Farm

Just like last year, this Yamabuki reaffirms its title and quality. The fukurin on this koi is truly unparalleled, and many visitors were unable to fully appreciate the true quality of this gold bar because there was a lot of spawning going on in the tank; the foam and heavy aeration made it impossible to experience the fish in all its harmonious beauty. The Yamabuki was bred by Momotaro Koi Farm

________________________________________________

Supreme Champion A – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Rob van Hulst | Dealer: Interkoi Ameide | Breeder: Sakai Fish Farm

This fish really needs no introduction; still, I want to point out the beautifully defined bone structure on its head and the imposing presence this Koi exudes—truly a showstopper for anyone passing by. An incredible Koi from Sakai Fish Farm.

________________________________________________

Jumbo Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Veldhoven Koi Farm | Dealer: Mark’s Koi Feed

The Jumbo Champion, an impressive Kawari Muji from Veldhoven Koi Farm, proved that a jumbo isn’t defined by length alone. Of course, a koi measuring well over ninety centimeters requires exceptional genetics, patience, and craftsmanship, but ultimately, true jumbo quality is about how that size is carried. This fish combined a powerful build with compelling proportions and a natural presence, ensuring that its imposing size never felt forced. It was a textbook example of how harmony can be maintained even at exceptional sizes.

________________________________________________

Mature Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Aqua Hobby

The Mature Champion, a Kohaku by Raymond Woerts, made a particularly strong impression with its natural grace. Nothing about this koi screamed for attention; rather, it was its balanced physique, powerful shoulders, and serene demeanor that made it special. It was a fish that no longer relied on promise, but on proven quality—a Kohaku in which years of careful cultivation had become evident.

________________________________________________

Adult Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Aqua Hobby

Koidealer Aquahobby won the title Adult Champion with a Kohaku of exceptional quality, purchased during the Odokan Event during the past harvest season. For this friendly Belgian dealer, whom I met last fall during my trip through Japan, this must be a source of great pride. Moreover, this is a koi to keep a close eye on in the coming years.

________________________________________________

Young Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner/Dealer: Interkoi Ameide

Perhaps the most remarkable koi of the show, however, was the Ai Goromo from Bokoi. As far as we know, it is unprecedented for a Ai Goromo has ever won a Major Award. Dealer Kai Bongaerts was also named the Young Championtitle, along with the Junior Tategoi Award for a beautiful Goshiki. It seems that they, too, are in serious contention for the top spot in the standings of the League of Rising Scales.

________________________________________________

Baby Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Veldhoven Koi Farm

Veldhoven Koi Farm presented both the best large koi and the best smallest koi of the show, earning the titles Jumbo Champion and Baby Champion . A telling sign of the exceptionally high level of this show is that the elegant and powerful Grand Champion Kohaku from the Young Holland Koi Show 2026, also entered by Rick Veldhoven, didn’t even manage to win a Major Award this time. Especially in the middle weight classes, both the quality and the number of top koi were unprecedentedly high. It’s safe to say that this once again confirms that the quality of the Dutch koi scene continues to develop strongly.

________________________________________________

Senior Tategoi Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner/Dealer: Intakoi Fuit

The Interkoi Group managed to score a strategic victory. Interkoi Fuit had deliberately set its sights on the Senior Tategoi Award and even predicted, before the jury’s decision, that this award would go to them. That made dealer Wiechert Fuit understandably very proud. For those who remember, Wiechert also won this award last year, and back then, too, he had predicted it in advance.

________________________________________________

Junior Tategoi Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Bokoi

The Young Tategoi, a promising Goshiki from Bokoi, demonstrated why this variety requires so much experience to judge properly. The refined skin quality, the bright base, and the subtle development of the beni combined to create a koi that still has a long way to go. It was precisely that unfinished development that made him so interesting—a fish in which the most beautiful chapters have likely yet to be written.

________________________________________________

Most Unique Champion – European Koi Show 2026

Owner: Koi Maas & Waal

The latest Major Award went to an impressive Tancho Kin Showa. Not only is the metallic sheen exceptionally rare in this variety, but the combination of quality and size also makes this koi truly unique. For dealer Koi Maas en Waal , this award is perhaps even more memorable than their now-iconic dog, which over the years has become almost as recognizable at the European Koi Show as the participants themselves.

In the coming weeks, a comprehensive English-language show report will be published in the official ZNA magazines, providing a detailed look at the champions, the judging, and the developments during this edition. After publication, this report will also be made available via KoiQuestion.