JR: Very interesting comparison because of the face markings. The Crown Sanke was victorious in 1978. Thirty years ago, in size 7. I do not have her length at hand, but back then a size 7 was in the range of approx. 26" to 30".
Now, like I first stated above, Tattoo is not a great koi. There's no GC trophy in her future. (Perhaps a contender for a Friendship Award?
) She has a few major question marks regarding future development. First, her body type borrows a bit from old-style Ogon, with a lot of bulk in the shoulder. She needs to get long to carry it off, but she slowed in growth last year. Hopefully she picks up the pace. Next, the sumi is, let us be kind, rather patchy. Needs to make progress in consolidating. Then there are the stray specks of sumi. Hoping there will not be more. If she makes progress on those 3 points and keeps the positives, I will be very pleased. We'll see in October. ...in any event, absent a calamity, I'll be keeping her because I enjoy her very much.