Greater Louisville Koi and Goldfish Highlights

What an incredible show! The Greater Louisville Koi and Goldfish Show 2026 brought out some of the finest goldfish in the region, with 75 goldfish entries this year and a LOT of fierce competition. Hobbyists from across the area brought their absolute best, and the judging was tough.

This year's show was judged by TGC Certified Judge Chip Autry, who had his work cut out for him with so many quality fish on the bench!

Let's take a look at the Top 5 Award Winners and the stunning fish that earned them!

Grand Champion – Steph Virg

Fish: Oranda (Tank #3)

Congratulations to Stephanie Virg for taking home the top honor of Grand Champion with this gorgeous Oranda! A well-deserved win against stiff competition.

Reserve Grand Champion – Joshua McWilliams

Fish: Pearlscale (Tank #15)

The Reserve Grand Champion goes to Joshua McWilliams with this beautiful Calico Pearlscale. Those pearled scales and vibrant orange and black markings made this one a real standout in the show!

The Goldfish Council Award – Gary Hater

Fish: Common (Tank #24)

Gary Hater earned The Goldfish Council Award with this stunning Lemon Common. Proof that a well-conditioned, high-quality fish of any variety can compete with the best. A classic beauty!

Baby Champion – Joshua McWilliams

Fish: Yun Bao (Tank #14)

Joshua McWilliams doubles up on the awards, taking Baby Champion with this adorable Yun Bao! This little calico oranda baby has incredible potential and stole the show in the baby class.

Reserve Baby Champion – Claire Beck

Fish: Ranchu (Tank #6)

Claire Beck earns Reserve Baby Champion with this striking black and white Ranchu. Excellent body shape and finnage on this young fish — one to watch for the future!

Full Goldfish Show Results (Typed from Handwritten Sheets)

Top Awards

Award	Exhibitor	Tank #	Fish
Grand Champion	Stephanie Virg	3	Oranda
Reserve Grand Champion	Joshua McWilliams	15	Pearlscale
The Goldfish Council Award	Gary Hater	24	Common
Baby Champion	Joshua McWilliams	14	Yun Bao
Reserve Baby Champion	Claire Beck	6	Ranchu
Best Over 3 Inches	S+T	2	Ranchu
Best Under 3 Inches	Gary Hater	22	Azuma
Most Unique	Gary Hater	22	Tele Oranda

Variety Winners

BIV – Oranda

Variety Winner: Adam Rachman (Tank #12)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	Stephanie Virg	1
2nd	+3	Adam Vaughn	11
3rd	+3	Joshua McWilliams	14
1st	-3	Kelly Dixon	16
2nd	-3	Kelly Dixon	16
3rd	-3	Kelly Dixon	16

BIV – Ryukin

Variety Winner: Kelly Dixon (Tank #16)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	Bryson Foss	20
2nd	+3	Adam Vaughn	18
3rd	+3	Jeff Street	19
1st	-3	Bryson Foss	21
2nd	-3	Bryson Foss	20
3rd	-3	Gary Hater	24

BIV – Ranchu/Lionhead

Variety Winner: Gary Hater (Tank #23)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	S+T	3
2nd	+3	Jeff Street	19
3rd	+3	Kelly Dixon	17
1st	-3	Joshua McWilliams	10
2nd	-3	Joshua McWilliams	10

BIV – Pearlscale

Variety Winner: Joshua McWilliams (Tank #15)

BIV – Eye Growth

Variety Winner: Adam Rachman (Tank #9)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	Gary Hater	22
1st	-3	Joshua McWilliams	15
2nd	-3	Steph Virg	7

BIV – Single Tail

Variety Winner: Bryson Foss (Tank #21)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	Susan Sears	8
1st	-3	Joshua McWilliams	15

BIV – Wakin/Jikin

Variety Winner: Joshua McWilliams (Tank #10)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #
1st	+3	Stephanie Virg	1
2nd	+3	S+T	3
1st	-3	Joshua McWilliams	15

BIV – Special Varieties

Variety Winner: Gary Hater (Tank #23, Veil)

Place	Size	Exhibitor	Tank #	Type
1st	+3	Gary Hater	24	BEP
2nd	+3	Gary Hater	24	Bristol
1st	-3	Gary Hater	24	Bristol
2nd	-3	Gary Hater	22	Veil

Friendship Award

SC Koi & Water Garden Society – Tank #18, Black Moor – Adam Vaughn

Thank You!

A huge thank you to TGC Certified Judge Chip Autry for taking the time to judge this year's show — we truly appreciate his expertise and dedication to the hobby!

Benching Team: Joshua McWilliams, Gary Hater, and Claire Beck — thank you for all your hard work getting every fish benched and organized for judging!

Writers for the Judge: Joshua McWilliams and Claire Beck — thank you for keeping up with Judge Autry and recording all the results!

And most importantly, thank you to ALL the exhibitors for showing such wonderful fish this year! With 75 entries and fierce competition across every class, you all made this show something truly special.

To Be Continued...

That's a wrap on the Top 5 Awards — but we're just getting started! Stay tuned for more pictures of the variety winners coming soon. There were so many beautiful fish at this show, and we can't wait to share more highlights with you!

Congratulations to ALL exhibitors who brought fish to the 2026 Greater Louisville Koi and Goldfish Show! See you next year!