Betta battle for No. 2

LIHUE — Who would think the battle for the No. 2 position in the United States would be waged amidst the tents and cars of the Kauai Community Market?

Following the results of the Gainsville, Florida Area 1 International Betta Congress show, Liz Hahn, owner of Kauai Bettas, is in the No. 3 spot with 1,410 show points.

Siegbert Ilig is in the No. 2 spot with 1,675 points and just two more shows remaining on the International Betta Congress calendar.

“It is still up in the air,” Hahn said. “With just two more shows coming up, including the IBC General Convention, a couple of hundred points is very do-able. Both shows are in June so we’re just going to have to work hard and keep the fish healthy. Mike Cuaresma is in solid first place with 4,490 show points, so he’ll end the year in first — even if he doesn’t show any fish.”

Hahn, who returned to the marketplace following a short rest period to give her new fish an opportunity to mature, was pleased with her final placements in the Gainsville show. She is looking ahead to the California Betta Summer Show on June 3 in Santa Clara, California, and the IBC Convention which will contest June 22 through 25 in Florida.

During the Gainsville show, Hahn finished with Best of Variety honors in the Halfmoon Doubletail Male, and Reserve Best of Variety honors in the Halfmoon Doubletail Female, a class Ilig captured top honors.

Hahn, who vends at the Kauai Community Market, also captured four first places, one each for a Dark-bodied Orange Singletail Male, a Solid Longfin Doubletail Male, a Multi/Bicolor Singletail Female, and a Steel Singletail Female.

She finished second and third in the Red Singletail Male, third in the Blue Singletail Female, second and third in the Light Solid Single Tail Female, and third in the Light Solid Show Plakat Male.

“We just have to hope and pray the fish stay healthy until the next shows,” Hahn said. “I’m still determined to finish the year in second place.”