The 5-year competition, also known as the “Wagyu Olympics,” opened in Kagoshima Prefecture on the 6th, with more than 400 cows from 41 prefectures, the largest number ever.
The "National Wagyu Ability Exhibition", which competes for the quality of wagyu beef, will be held from the 6th to the 10th at the venues of Kirishima City and Minamikyushu City in Kagoshima Prefecture.
In the morning, the opening ceremony was held at the judging venue in Kirishima City, and at the beginning, exhibitors from 41 prefectures, the largest number ever, entered wearing matching uniforms.
Yoshiyuki Mori from Kagoshima Prefecture, representing the exhibitors, said, "We will spread the appeal and potential of wagyu beef from Kagoshima to the world. All exhibitors who put their lives into wagyu beef, saying, 'Wagyu beef is my life.' Together with my beloved cows, I will continue to shine throughout the tournament.”
This is the second time in 52 years that Kagoshima Prefecture has held the event, and the 12th event will feature 438 horses from 41 prefectures.
In the afternoon, the judging will be conducted in a section called "special zone" in which high schools and agricultural colleges participate, and from the 7th, judging will also begin in the "breeding division" where the cows will compete for their appearance, shape and physique.