Italy – Naples, 24-26 September, 2010
The 1st International Discus Championships took place at Naples during the amazing exhibition and conference of the first Aquatic Fair of such a size in Italy, organized by Christian Pedone and the Jambo1 Shopping Center. Mr Bleher was invited to judge together with leading judges from around the world: J. Tan (Malaysia), A. Soh (Singapore), S. Goryushkin (Russia), P. Hilsenbeck (Germany), A. Sieniawski (Poland), S. Solano and R. Curcio (Italy).
At the NapoliAquatica 2010 the first giant International Discus Championships took place in Naples Italy, with the participation of leading judges from around the globe: Jeffrey Tan (Malaysia), Andrew Soh (Singapore), Sergey Goryushkin (Russia), Patriz Hilsenbeck (Germany) and Andrzej Sieniawski (Poland), Carmelo Aricó, Sebastiano Solano, Rosario Curcio and Heiko Bleher (all from Italy). There were 150 Discus from many parts of Europe and Asia to be judged and it was an amazingly well organized event. Congratulations to Christian Pedone & Rosario Curcio, below some photos from this unique Italian championship.
From top: Sebastiano Solano explaining something to Sergey Goryushkin (both were judges) and Sergey’s brother doing the translation. Sergey (and all other judges) had to lower down in order to inspect each discus carefully – unfortunately the aquariums where placed to low (the organizers promised to improve next time). Heiko, here judging with Andrzej Sieniawski the wild Discus category. Heiko’s hand was used for writing down the winners in the category Wild: it was agreed tank 15 = first (and Grand Champion wild), tank 03 = 2nd, tank 13 = 3rd… Easy, isn’t it if you have experienced judges? (Heiko is doing it since 1986, Andrzej is president of the Polish Discus Club and has a judging certificate).
The Italian Rosario Curcio (back) and Patriz Hilsenbeck from Germany judging (top). Andrew Soh discussing with his hands (he learned it in Italy, as he loves the country) with Andrzej, Marciej (both from Poland) and Jeffrey Tan (right). And Andrew had to be photographed always with the nicest translators at NapioliAquatica ...
Judges trying to workout the results and a final vote had to be given for the Grand Champion by all judges.
Alessandra Pedone, sister of the organizer and amazing Italian ceramic artist (top, centre). Here with Heiko and Sergey from Russia. Alessandra sculptured all the trophies. Heiko Bleher, on Carmelo Aricó’s stand with him (left) and Sergey and Italian friends (centre). Some of the judges, with the nice translators (above).
There was, for the first time a World Discus Congress of leading Discus judges from around the world
coordinated by Christan Pedone, the organizer, and Rosario Curcio, the global promoter.
The agenda worked out took several hours and everyone had his saying. The final outcome –
Heiko Bleher’s suggestions of the new categories, was signed on the last day by all judges.
See the elaborated new Discus Judging Categories
One can see all judges which signed the new agreement and also the signed copy (just click on
each white sheet at the end to see the final results – guide for future Discus competitions).
The had sculptures trophies 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each one of the 8 categories judged, was moulded
into a terra cotta base also hand made, and the entire structure-base was a rock from
Napel’s world-famous Vesuvio mountain, the amazing volcano towering over lost Pompeij…
In the centre we see the organizer, Christan Pedone, with the Grand Champion Trophy –
a monster trophy … And above is the Gold prizes given in addition (as cash money is prohibited
in Italy to give in competitions), from left: the Grand Champion (worth Euro 2500), the 1st in each
category (worth Euro 1000), and the 2nd in each category (worth Euro 500).
The Grand Champion for Wild went to Antonio Ferrara from Naples (top), the Grand Champion for breeding forms went to Ugo from DiscusFood, Germany
For the first time in history The Schmidt-Focke Trophy was handed out, and for Heiko Bleher,
an extreme honour for one who worked with the « Father of Discus Breeding » for over 30 years…
see also
The staff which the organizer choose was not only nice, but beautiful as well … Thank you Christina.
The great Italian Discus breeder and lover, Filippo Pallonetto, who loves wild Discus took
the 3rd prize in that category.
The participant from Poland, Andrzej Nowicki took the 2nd prize for Wild.
Ricky Lim from Malaysia took the 1st prize for Turquoise Striped, as well as
the 1st and 2nd for Red (so called Solid Red).
The great Swiss Discus breeder and lover, Angelo Bianchet won the 3rd prizes for
Pigeon and for Red Spotted, as well as 2nd place for Unclassifialble category, and 1st prize for
Solid Blue with Discus from Jeffrey Young (upper). And Jeffrey himself took some of those prizes (lower).
The judges received a special plate with names carved into the famous Vesuvio rock:
Jeffrey Tan (upper), Patriz Hilsenbeck (centre) and Sergey Goryushkin (lower).
Also: Andrzej Sieniawski (upper), Andrew Soh (centre) and Sebastiano Solano (lower).
Rosario Curcio (left), also a judge, and Livia (right) for her great work received a plate as well.
Also Carmelo Aricó (upper) judged and Heiko Bleher (centre).
The Grand Champion for the category WILD was the same Discus that won in April in Lecce (upper).
The Grand Champion for Breeding forms was a white Albino (centre), and Heiko’s favourite breeding
form was a beautiful Red Turquoise, which was first in his category, but missed by one
judge vote to be best of show (lower).
NapoliAquatica and the championship was visited by over 35,000 people from all over
Europe and parts of Asia, a tremendous success.
For the individual Discus which have taken 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category visit:
World Discus Championship Winner and Discus Contest
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