Grand Champion of the Italian Koi Exhibition 2024 in Cremona – Marudoh Kohaku 73cm
Last year good for the Supreme Champion with 69cm; this year the Grand Champion with 74cm. Matteo is an Italian hobbyist and volunteer at the Koi show in Italy. In addition to fish from the spiritual fathers from Japan, his boat is also adorned with a Showa from former Italian breeder Fabio Ciotti, who now works for KoiQuestion. Naturally, we envisioned the reunion between Fabio and the Showa he bred, about which we will say more later; for now, the winning Kohaku ozm must enjoy its moment of glory.
Not the biggest, but the best
The Kohaku was indeed not the greatest koi at the show. The judges did their job thoroughly. Sophisticated forms with point values pulled them from one end to the other in the competition arena. To win the title of Grand Champion, of course, several factors are taken into account, and size 7 fish are also eligible.
Selected as nisai
The judges then evaluate other aspects such as pattern and skin quality. The special thing about this Kohaku bred by Hisashi Hirasawa, the name of the Schacho (boss) of Marudoh Koi Farm, is that this fish still has the youthful appearance of a Nisai, which is how old the fish was when Matteo made the two-colored champion his. The fish has grown considerably in the past year, has not put on weight and is still developing very well.
Maruzome Kiwa
The koi has a balanced pattern – not exciting, but neat – a very nice konzai kiwa, which means that the kohaku has both a high quality maruzome kiwa, the end of a pattern that follows the outline of the scales, and a kamisori kiwa that cuts through the scales. The beni is even all over the body from head to tail, the white is velvety and the fish has no wounds, blemishes or imperfections anywhere.
Love for all
She secured the title for Matteo in favor of a Showa that took second place. Another big and beautiful Kohaku from Koi Italia had to give up the prize because of some blemishes in the pattern; the judges were relentless, but Stefano Rivola is a big loser. The dealer from Florence turned half a century old today (congratulations) and praised the organization: “Even if you didn’t let me win, I love you all”. This is proof of the relaxed and helpful atmosphere at the Koi Fair in Italy.
The quality of the koi exhibition in Cremona has never been so high; the hobby is on the rise there, steadily but gently. Of course, we also conducted an interview with Matteo with his Kohaku in the bowl! To be seen soon on KoiQuestion.
