The international grooming calendar features dates you won’t want to miss, and Sunday, June 28, 2026, will undoubtedly go down as one of the most exciting moments of the year. Following the PetGuru Grooming Show, the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, served as the venue for the Diamex Champions Tournament.
More than just a competition, this tournament has become, over the years, the ultimate showcase of excellence. Masterfully organized bythe EGA and proudly sponsored by Diamex, this invitation-only event brings together the cream of the crop: the 16 top-performing groomers of the 2025–2026 season, selected for their consistency and extraordinary talent on international competition stages.
A star-studded lineup: Europe’s elite are all here!
From the moment the event began, the atmosphere was electric. Just being on the list of participants is an honor in itself. These 16 competitors embody the future and the present of the global grooming industry, each representing their country with palpable pride.
Here are the champions who faced off in this high-level arena:
- 🇫🇷 Allison Cabibbo
- 🇵🇱 Krzysztof Czarnecki
- 🇳🇱 Nike Elbertsen
- 🇮🇹 Francesca Gottardi
- 🇵🇱 Marcin Gubala
- 🇵🇱 Anna Krauze
- 🇮🇹 Davide Minichiello
- 🇮🇹 Giulia Moreschini
- 🇩🇪 Lisa Müller
- 🇩🇪 Silke Müller-Rummel
- 🇧🇪 Molly Taminiaux
- 🇳🇱 Anita Ten Brincke-te Brake
- 🇧🇪 Jemi Vanelverdinghe
- 🇧🇪 Corinna Verschuren
- 🇮🇹 Denis Eros Volo
- 🇳🇱 Susan Zeestraten
Expertise to Support Judicial Decisions!
To decide between such artists, a jury of unquestionable expertise was needed. Five world-renowned experts had the daunting task of scrutinizing every gesture, every cut, and every finish: Kitty Ponnet, Joanne Angus, Kitty Dekeersgieter, Eve Raison, and Umberto Lehmann. Their keen eye left no room for approximation, evaluating not only the final result but also technical mastery and adherence to the standard.
The Final Four: The tension is at its peak!
After hours of hard work, during which the silence of concentration was broken only by the clicking of scissors, the jury had to make a decision to narrow the field down to just six finalists. At this stage, the level of skill was so high that the differences came down to the tiniest details.
The 6 finalists who wowed the audience:
- 🇫🇷 Allison Cabibbo
- 🇳🇱 Nike Elbertsen
- 🇵🇱 Marcin Gubala
- 🇵🇱 Anna Krauze
- 🇮🇹 Davide Minichiello
- 🇮🇹 Giulia Moreschini
The Champions’ Triumph!
The results were announced in an atmosphere charged with emotion.
France shone once again thanks to Allison Cabibbo, who won the title of runner-up in the tournament. Her consistency and artistic flair make her a key ambassador for French grooming on the European stage.
But the biggest triumph of the 2026 edition went to Italy. With a performance marked by surgical precision and perfect harmony with his dog, Davide Minichiello was crowned Grand Champion of the 2026 Diamex Tournament of Champions. His name now joins the very exclusive list of legends of this tournament.
A celebration of passion and craftsmanship!
For Diamex, the event’s sponsor, this tournament is much more than just a medal ceremony. It is a celebration of the profession, an opportunity for enthusiasts to come together, and a source of inspiration for all groomers, whether they are beginners or experienced professionals.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the PetGuru team for their exceptional hospitality in Cluj-Napoca, as well as to Luisa and Umberto Lehmann for their dedication and attention to detail, which make EGA a leading institution.
The 2026 Diamex Champions Tournament has come to a resounding success. We’re leaving Romania with stars in our eyes, proud to support such a talented community.
Congratulations to all the Champions! We are honored to showcase your talent and help you shine in a way that reflects your excellence.
