All Asia Cup Koi Show
Key facts: The All Asia Cup Koi Show is an annual rotating koi show held in different Asian countries, organized jointly by Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) and the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (Shinkokai), and is described by a Dutch judging account as the largest koi show in Asia outside Japan.[1]
The All Asia Cup Koi Show is a combined koi show jointly organized and judged by Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) and the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (Shinkokai), with judging panels drawn from both organizations working alongside local representatives[1][2]. According to a Dutch ZNA judge’s account, it is the largest koi show in Asia outside Japan[1].The show rotates each year to a different Asian country, having been hosted in Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Thailand among other locations according to available accounts[5][1][3][4].History and Founding
The first edition, called the 1st Asia Cup Koi Show, was held in Singapore from 2 to 4 May 2008, organized by Richard Tan, President of the Koi Club Singapore and Chairman of the Organising Committee[2][5]. A Dutch judge’s account states the very first All Asia Cup was organized in 2007 by the late Hiroji Sakai of Sakai Fish Farm and Richard Tan, then chairman of the Koi Club Singapore[1]. According to that same account, in November 2007 Tan and Alan Nementzik attended the annual ZNA show in Ojiya and agreed with ZNA chairman Masao Kato and ZNA board member Hiroshi Masuda that the show would be organized and judged jointly by both associations, with ZNA sending representative judges and the Shinkokai (AJNPA) handling administration, among other duties[1].The event has since grown into what the same source describes as an annual recurring event considered as significant as the annual Combined Shinkokai Show and the international ZNA International Koi Show[1].Format and Rotating Host Country
The All Asia Cup is held in a different Asian country each year[1]. Documented editions include the inaugural 1st show in Singapore in 2008[2][5], the 11th edition in Jakarta, Indonesia, held 11–13 May at the ICE Indonesia Convention & Exhibition Center[1], the 12th edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held on 18–19 May[3], and the 14th edition at the Government Complex Hall in Thailand on 16–17 December 2023[4].The 11th edition in Jakarta was organized primarily by the organization KOI’s together with the Indonesian ZNA chapter from Jakarta, supported by APKI, the ZNA Bandung Chapter and the ZNA Surabaya Chapter, according to the judge’s account[1].Judging Structure and Major Awards
As a combined show, judging panels include both ZNA and Shinkokai judges working side by side, with a head judge drawn from one of the two organizations rotating by edition[3]. For the 1st Asia Cup Koi Show in Singapore, judging involved 17 judges: 6 senior ZNA judges, 6 senior Shinkokai judges, and 5 judges from participating countries, split into five teams[2].According to a description of the 12th edition, the major awards include a Grand Champion (A) Gosanke, chosen from the five best Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa of 80 centimeters (31 in) and larger, with the top three eligible for Grand Champion, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up[3]. A Grand Champion (B) Non-Gosanke is chosen from the three best koi of 80 cm and larger (or from 75 cm koi if not enough representative entries exist at 80 cm), covering Utsurimono, Hikari Moyo Mono, Koromo/Goshiki, Kinginrin A, and Kawarimono moyo, with the runner-up titled Reserve Grand Champion B[3]. A similar Grand Champion (C) Non-Gosanke follows the same procedure[3].Jumbo Koi awards (A, B and C) are selected from koi of 85 cm (33 in) and larger, with emphasis on size and body conformation over color and pattern quality[3]. In all other size classes, first through third place are awarded provided the koi meet criteria representative of their variety, and judges may withhold awards in any class if entry quality is judged insufficient[3]. Additional award categories reported for the 12th edition include Best in Size (A, B, C) across sizes from 25 bu to above 85 bu, Superior Champion, Mature Champion, Adult Champion, Young Champion, Baby Champion and Mini Baby Champion (each in A, B, C classes), plus separate awards for male koi; a male winner of Grand Champion or Superior Champion automatically also wins the corresponding Grand Champion Male title[3]. The special variety designated for the 12th edition was Shusui[3].At the 14th edition in Thailand, a Taisho Sanshoku bred by Sakai Fish Farm received the Grand Champion honor, and a Shiro Utsuri received the Jumbo Champion Non-Gosanke B award[4].Scale and International Participation
The inaugural 2008 Singapore show drew entries from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and other countries, with about 1,500 koi entered across 14 sizes and 16 varieties, competing for the Grand Champion title[2]. The venue, the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, offered over 120,000 sq ft of exhibition space, and organizers presented five large trophies from international sponsors plus about 800 other trophies[2].That first show's Grand Champion was a red and white koi owned by Thai businessman Tepsit Rojratanadumrong, who said he bought the fish three years earlier from the Narita Koi Farm in Japan for the price of a Mercedes-Benz, and industry experts estimated its value could reach 10–15 million yen (roughly 95,000–143,000 US dollars) or more[5]. Koi owned by Malaysian and Indonesian keepers also won top honors at that edition[5].Auctions and Side Events
Besides judged competition, the All Asia Cup has included a separate auction of high-quality koi. At the 12th edition in Kuala Lumpur, a special auction offered Nisai (two-year-old) Kohaku supplied by Mr. Pan Zhi Cheng of China, with fish measuring between 67 and 70 cm, notable for their size given their young age[3].Context within Asian Koi-Keeping
The growth of the All Asia Cup has coincided with a broader rise in koi-keeping across Asia, according to a 2008 report, with Richard Tan, then president of the Singapore Koi Club, noting that China, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia had become major buyers of high-quality Japanese koi[5]. Masao Kato, Japan chairman of Zen Nippon Airinkai, sent a message to the Singapore show describing koi as providing a calming effect on keepers[5]. For broader context on how koi shows are organized and judged across the region, see Koi shows in Asia and How koi are judged.Common questions
Where is the All Asia Cup Koi Show held?
Who organizes the All Asia Cup?
When was the first All Asia Cup held?
What is the Grand Champion award at the show?
The main awards include a Grand Champion (A) Gosanke chosen among top Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa of 80 cm and larger, plus separate Grand Champion (B) and (C) titles for non-Gosanke varieties.[3]
Is there anything besides competition at the show?
Some editions have included a separate auction, such as a sale of large Nisai Kohaku at the 12th edition in Kuala Lumpur.[3]
Related koi topics
References
- ^ Jureren tijdens de 11e All Asia Cup - Besems.eu. besems.eu. besems.eu/2018/04/13/jureren-tijdens-11e-all-asia-cup/. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ 1st Asia Cup Koi Show press release, 29 April 2008. yumpu.com. yumpu.com/en/document/view/47645378/1st-asia-cup-koi-show-inaugural…. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ Jureren tijdens de 12e ALL ASIA CUP KOI SHOW - Besems.eu. besems.eu. besems.eu/2019/05/09/jureren-tijdens-12e-all-asia-cup-koi-show/. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ The 14th Asia Cup Koi Show | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/the-14th-asia-cup-koi-show-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ Asia's love of koi (AFP, May 2008). thingsasian.com. thingsasian.com/node/2605.html. Retrieved November 2026.