{"id":69556,"date":"2026-01-23T17:04:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koiquestion.com\/gc-ajks26-6-year-old-dainichi-kohaku-sets-new-benchmark"},"modified":"2026-01-23T17:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:19:19","slug":"gc-ajks26-6-year-old-dainichi-kohaku-sets-new-benchmark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koiquestion.com\/en\/gc-ajks26-6-year-old-dainichi-kohaku-sets-new-benchmark","title":{"rendered":"GC AJKS26: 6-year-old Dainichi Kohaku sets new benchmark"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yuan Jian Dong wins <\/strong>Grand Champion<\/abbr> All Japan combined Nishikigoi Show<\/abbr> 2026<\/h2>\n
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Tokyo, January 24-26, 2026<\/strong> | While the 56th edition of the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show<\/abbr> (AJKS) is still in full swing at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center, the Grand Champion<\/abbr> has now been announced. The worldwide Koi community is watching live what is considered the most important show in the Nishikigoi<\/abbr> hobby. <\/header>\n
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Dainichi Kohaku<\/abbr> wins Grand Champion<\/abbr> title at age six<\/h2>\n

The Grand Champion<\/abbr> of the All Japan Koi Show 2026<\/strong> (GC AJKS 2026) is an exceptional Dainichi Kohaku<\/abbr><\/strong>, owned by Chinese hobbyist Yuan Jian Dong<\/strong>. The fish, which was measured as recently as October at 98 cm, has now reached the 100 cm<\/strong> mark and does so at just six years of age<\/strong>. This makes this Kohaku<\/abbr> not only an aesthetic masterpiece, but also a remarkable example of growth potential in record time. Jane Maneerat<\/a> once again proves himself to be one of the very best Koi photographers ever and it is another personal dream as a Koi photographer to one day shoot alongside him at the All Japan. Also follow his YouTube channel<\/a> for wonderful video productions. <\/p>\n

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Grand Champion<\/abbr> All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show<\/abbr> 2026 (GC AJKS 26) picture courtesy by Jane Maneerat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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  • Variety:<\/strong> Kohaku<\/abbr><\/li>\n
  • Length:<\/strong> 100 cm<\/li>\n
  • Age: 6 years old<\/li>\n
  • Breeder: Dainichi Koi Farm<\/abbr><\/li>\n
  • Owner:<\/strong> Yuan Jian Dong (China)<\/li>\n
  • Dealer: Sanshin Trading<\/li>\n
  • Bloodline:<\/strong> Offspring of WILD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    “Inimitable body, excitement and inspiring – blending with nature, challenging it, and surpassing it.”<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    – Dainichi Koi Farm<\/abbr> on their quality philosophy that they more than live up to with this Kohaku<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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    A historic repeat for owner Yuan Jian Dong<\/h2>\n

    This victory is not the first for the Chinese owner. In 2025, Yuan Jian Dong also won the Grand Champion<\/abbr> title<\/strong>, then with a 97 cm Dainichi Showa<\/abbr>. This makes him the first non-Japanese hobbyist to win the grand prize<\/strong> of the All Japan Show two years in a row<\/strong>. The continuity of these achievements underlines not only his commitment to excellence, but also his international influence within the Koi elite. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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    Offspring of WILD: bloodline under the microscope<\/h2>\n

    The winning Kohaku<\/abbr> is from Dainichi’s internal bloodline WILD<\/strong>. Although little detailed information is publicly available about this line, WILD is known by insiders for its powerful physique, deep beni<\/abbr> and consistent skin quality. The fact that a fish from this line already reaches 100 cm at the age of six and becomes Grand Champion<\/abbr> confirms the potential of WILD within the top of the Koi world. It is only logical that Managing Director Shigeru Mano will want to use these Koi as parents in the future. Among the many reactions to the victory from certainly those who attended, we find one expression in particular that marks this victory; <\/p>\n

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    “Beni<\/abbr> has won the show”<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/section>\n
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    Back to basics: shape, skin and pattern<\/h2>\n

    As always at the All Japan Koi Show, the focus is on the balance between body shape, skin quality and pattern. With this Dainichi Kohaku<\/abbr>, the refined skin texture, deep red beni<\/abbr> and perfect symmetry<\/strong> stand out in particular; “Beni<\/abbr> has won the show” and that is remarkable because often it is really the body that is the most decisive factor, but when the quality is so high, it is not always decisive; it is all the qualities that together make the difference on this world stage. But what makes this Kohaku<\/abbr> truly exceptional is that he is already showing these qualities at the age of six and at this size. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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    Watch the Grand Champion<\/abbr> in action<\/h2>\n