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pany CEOs and entrepreneurs. But competitions. are involved so my friendships
unlike in the world of work, there with these people feel pure to
has never been a sense of hierarchy It was a long process that took Lit me,”Lit adds.
within the club. 12 years during which he attended
11 competitions, six seminars and More Good Times Ahead
‘When we visit fish farms together, three examinations. He worked Before the pandemic, Lit and his
we are just like friends,’ he says. his way up from being a Koi club wife visited Japan five or six times
member, trainee judge, local judge, a year to attend Koi competitions
Seeing many of his friends from assistant CJ, and finally, a CJ. but had been forced to stay in
the club being self-employed in- Hong Kong due to COVID-19.
spired him. He left the South Chi- Lit says that his Koi journey has
na Morning Post immediately af- enriched his life in many ways, but “Now I can freely go anywhere
ter graduation and established his he is most proud of the special re- to visit my friends and judge in
own advertising firm. lationships he has formed with fel- competitions,”he says.
low enthusiasts along the way.
Joining the club also led him to Lit is also hopeful about spending
begin his journey of becoming a “We hare a common interest in more time at his Koi farm when he
certified judge (CJ) for Zen Nip- Koi. Since this is just a hobby for retires but has no plans to expand
pon Airinkai (ZNA), a body that us, no profit or business interests its size. He will continue raising
provides judging officials for Koi Koi that are young and inexpensive
“Winning the Koi competition and be- instead of buying Koi that already

coming a certified judge made me feel have accolades.

very proud. But my greatest treasure is “Trying to judge which Koi has the

the friends I have made around the world most potential, then raising it to
compete is a much more satisfying
throughout the years.” process,” he says.

The ZNA judge believes those who
are interested in Koi should also
go to competitions to familiarise
themselves with what truly im-
pressive Koi look like.

"When you look

at other people’s

Koi,you will discov-

er how beautiful a

Koi can be.”

Aaron Lit Ying-yeung measuring one of his farm’s Kohaku - a white- Edited by Yap Ying Ye
bodied Koi with red markings. Sub-edited by Karmen Yip