The San Diego Koi Show / Shinkokai US Chapter

[Russell Peters]

This year at the San Diego Koi Show had the help of the US Chapter of the Shinkokai. I would like to thank Joel Burkhart for putting it all together and Kevin Pham for organizing the benching teams. The Shinkokai members in attendance were;

Asahi Koi - Henry
California Koi Farms - Takehmi
Genki Nishikigoi - Kevin
Eastern Nishikigoi - Ken
Mystic Koi - Shawn
Nishikigoi of Niigata - Ray
Andrews Koi - Andy
PSKoi - Russell

With three benching teams the work went quickly and I was told by several members of the club that it was the fastest that the benching had ever gone. It was nice to be able to participate and handle so many nice Koi.

The Shinkokai members were also responsible for tubing Koi as needed for the judging. A tremendous benefit of this was that we were able to "shadow" the judges and experience the judging first hand. It was very interesting especially since I was with the head judge Izumiya. With Izumiya being the head judge a breif topic of discussion was wether or not a Yamabuki would take home the Grand Champion honors.LOL

The San Diego Koi Club did a great job putting on the show and it was an honor to be part of the first event for the US Chapter of Shinkokai.

[Russell Peters]

Being some of the first there Kevin and Shawn wasted no time getting started.

[Russell Peters]

One of the first hobbiests to arrive was Carolyn. Here she is waiting while her Koi are being benched.

[Russell Peters]

I wasn't on the ball, but I did get a few shots of the judges being introduced and getting their jackets.

[Russell Peters]

I walked up just as Burt was being handed some green on the down low. It looks like Nancy was trying to influence.........?

[Russell Peters]

Every Koi show has Koi. Here are a few.

[Russell Peters]

and...more Koi........

[Russell Peters]

The judging teams worked really well together. The club provided work sheets for the judges showing the Koi by size and variety.

[Russell Peters]

Whos says it is lonely at the top. Even the Grand Champion brought a friend.

[Russell Peters]

There were plenty of top quality Koi.