Italy – Lecce, April 16-18, 2010
The activ group of aquarists Il Gruppo Acquariofilo Salentino from Italy’s beautiful Puglia region did host their 5th bi-annual edition of S MEDITERRANEA DISCUS 2010 in Lecce at the Centro Storico (historic center), in via Francesco Rubichi 25, only 50 m from the central square Piazza Sant’Oronzo on 16-18 April, 2010. It was a perfect organized championships, even better than the last one where over 30,000 visited the championships in this beautiful old Italian town. The international judges invited by Francesco Denitto the head of the Jury, were: Nicola Vito from Gruppo Acquariofilo Salentino, Jeffrey Tan from Malaysia, Kersten Opitz, President of the Czechoslovak Discus Club, Sebastiano Solano from Sicilia and also Heiko Bleher from Italy…

_{The Championships took place in a fantastic old building of the Circolo Cittadino (Centro Storico – historic center – above), in via Francesco Rubichi 25 only 50 m from the central square Piazza Sant’Oronzo (top).}

_{First the judges discussed together with Francesco the method of judging, Heiko was arguing that sizes of Discus in judging should be eliminated, as also medium size Discus can be beautiful and perfect fishes, not only giant ones… which every one accepted.}

_{Than finally in the afternoon of the 16th of April the judging concluded and the prizes were shown the next day, just before the delivery of the same. In the meanwhile all aquariums were marked with their positions judged in each category as well as the Best of Show in tank breed and in Wild Discus.  The prizes were hand-made from the local stone and each one hand-painted with the colours of each category, something very unique and never seen before at anyone of the hundreds of championships around the world in which Heiko Bleher was invited to judge or be the head of jury (probably more than anyone else in judging-history…). Below the Winners in each category with the trophy of each category shown:}

_{Category « Wild Heckel »}

_{Category « Wild Brown »}

_{Category « Wild Blue »} 

_{Category « Wild Green »} 

_{Category « Striped Turquoise »} 

_{Category « Solid Blue »} 

_{Category « Solid Red »} 

_{Category « Red Spotted »} 

_{Category « Pigeon Blood »} 

_{Category « Unclassified Pattern/Spotted »} 

_{Best of Show – Tank Bred}

_{Best of Show – Wild}

_{Each judge received a special engraved plate…}

_{…and each one of the winners received his beautiful hand-painted trophy from the president of the Gruppo Acquariofilo Salentino and even two children received a prize. The best of show in tank breeds and also in other categories was Antonello Greco for SG Discocoltura  company, were he is partner with Italy’s most famous breeder Andrea Sassi.}

_{The dinner each evening was given by the organizer in one of Lecce’s most beautiful old restaurants, the best pasta one can imagine, done with a secret recipe … just un-believable good…}

This was an astonishing event, perfectly organized and it could not have been done better, that is for sure. Thank you Gruppo Acquariofilo Salentino, thank you Francesco Denitto for inviting me, and a great Thank you also to all judges who judged with me a very fair and correct championships with those winning who deserved it. See you in two-years time hopefully again in this beautiful southern Italian city …

Heiko Bleher

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