{"id":64799,"date":"2025-03-24T08:35:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T07:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koiquestion.com\/filip-poppe-and-others-successful-at-all-japan-young-koi-show-2025"},"modified":"2025-03-24T08:35:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T07:35:23","slug":"filip-poppe-and-others-successful-at-all-japan-young-koi-show-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koiquestion.com\/en\/filip-poppe-and-others-successful-at-all-japan-young-koi-show-2025","title":{"rendered":"Filip Poppe – and others – successful at All Japan Young Koi Show 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filip & Els Poppe shine with Runner-Up 63BU Kohaku<\/abbr> – and many more European honors at this prestigious Koi show<\/h2>\n
The All Japan Young Koi Show 2025<\/strong>, held in the heart of Japan with Himeji Castle as its setting, is the holy grail for young Nishikigoi<\/abbr> worldwide. Here, enthusiasts, breeders and dealers gather to witness the future of Koi. Fish up to 63 centimeters – from very young tosai<\/abbr> to impressively developed sansai<\/abbr> – are judged there for skin quality, pattern, body and overall appearance. And this year, Europe was remarkably strong on the podium, with a starring role for Belgian champions Filip & Els Poppe<\/strong>. <\/section>\n

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Two days later I was already able to sell them for a multiple to a Japanese breeder but resolutely refused that offer<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Anyone familiar with the world of Nishikigoi<\/abbr> knows that Filip Poppe’s name regularly pops up in reports of international shows in Europe. At KoiQuestion<\/abbr>, we have followed his rise for years: from his impressive performance at the All Japan Koi Show to the European Championships. But this victory in Japan has everything of a classic boy’s book<\/em>: a spontaneous purchase, a bold choice, and finally crowning with a Runner-Up title in one of the hardest fought classes. <\/p>\n
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Matsue Kohaku<\/abbr> Filip Poppe, runner up 63bu All Japan Young Koi Show 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n
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A meeting in the early hours<\/h4>\n

The winning Kohaku<\/abbr> was bred by Matsue Nishikigoi<\/abbr> Center<\/strong> and selected during their final Nisai<\/abbr> harvest in 2024. Siebe van Tilburg<\/strong>, who was selecting Niigata<\/abbr><\/strong> Nisai<\/abbr> with Odakan<\/strong> at the time, remembers the moment well: <\/p>\n

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Koi is from Matsue and came from his last Nisai<\/abbr> harvest of 2024. We were at Matsue’s doorstep at 06:00 and there she was swimming. I had seen her at Matsue a week earlier, but then she was “not for sale”. <\/span><\/p>\n

When I later came with Odakan, she was suddenly for sale though. When I saw the koi swimming, I talked to Filip via Messenger. By chance, he was still awake and asked a question about koi. I sent a short video of the fish and he was also sold. The fish, however, not yet, as we had to wait a long time for the price. Fortunately, it was all good in the end. For Filip night work, for me early morning work but a top koi richer. Biggest and probably best 2sai within Matsue Win for Matsue, win for Odakan, win for Filip & win for me. <\/span><\/p>\n

Matsue prepared her for this show after this. After all, she fit the size exactly. Before the show started we knew it was going to be tough, as this class is filled with sansai<\/abbr>. Yet she managed to win a great prize. In terms of shape it really is a bizarre nisai<\/abbr>, huge and wide. Seemed like a year older than her peers. She will remain in Japan for a while, under the watchful eye of Odakan. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/section>\n

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The Kohaku<\/abbr> immediately stood out for its volume and balance. In a class where Sansai<\/abbr> are the norm, this true Nisai<\/abbr> was an exception – and all the more powerful for that very reason. Filip Poppe adds: <\/p>\n

“To be able to buy such a promising koi you have to have some luck AND they also have to grant it to you. That one really stood out because of her size and body compared to the other Nisai<\/abbr>. The fact that I have five azukari<\/abbr> swimming at Odakan played into my cards to be allowed to buy them! Two days later I could have sold them for a multiple to a Japanese breeder, but firmly refused that offer<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

According to Matsue and Odakan she was ready to take her chance as a Nisai<\/abbr> against the Sansai<\/abbr> who are more advanced in terms of development . This is why I entered her because I trust Odakan and also have a good relationship with him when he came to visit me at home in August 2023. The intention is for her to remain azukari<\/abbr> for another two or three years .” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Filip was confident. Despite an offer of a multiple of the purchase price – from none other than Taniguchi – he decided not to sell her. “According to Matsue and Odakan, she was ready to take her chance against the Sansai<\/abbr>. That’s why I entered her,” Filip says. “She will remain azukari<\/abbr> in Japan for at least two to three more years.” <\/p>\n

His bond with Odakan, who even came to visit him in Belgium in 2023, gave the final push. And the result? An impressive Runner-Up at the All Japan Young Koi Show – and wonderful recognition for Filip, who previously won runner-up at the AJKS 2024<\/strong> in the 80bu class with a Sanke<\/abbr>. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Other European achievements: Netherlands in the spotlight<\/h4>\n

In addition to Filip & Els Poppe’s achievement, other Dutch and Belgian hobbyists also won prizes:<\/p>\n