The 8th "PANGOL" Cup "Golden Finger Award" International Pet Grooming Championship Invitational is about to kick off. The six-member international judging panel of authorities and twelve national and regional teams from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond have all assembled!

I. An Unprecedented International Judging Panel

This year's "Golden Finger Award" has specially invited six international pet grooming authorities to form a judging panel, officiating on site. The six judges' careers span three continents — a level of judging rarely seen even among top international pet grooming events:

• Umberto (President of the European Grooming Association, EGA) — a pet grooming legend spanning nearly four decades, having judged over 400 international events worldwide, and named "International Groomer of the Year" in 1987.

• Paola Acco (Vice President of the EGA) — founder of Italy's ATI, member of Italy's championship team at the 2003 Barcelona World Team Championship.

• Kitty Dekeersgieter (President-elect of the EGA) — World Poodle Grooming Champion, founder of Transgroom, and creator of Belgium's annual Groomania event.

• Irina Kovalchuk (Founder of Russia's PITER GROOM) — creator of Russia's largest international pet grooming competition, and RKF-FCI international judge.

• Sarah Odette Genova (Best Groomer at Italy's Starlight Grooming Awards) — runner-up at the 2022 Groomania World Championship, and EGA judge.

• Dongseok Yoo (FCI All-Breed Judge of the World Canine Organization) — "Best All-Around Groomer" at the 2023 Artero Grooming Grand Slam, and double gold medalist in Poodle and Purebred at Groomania 2023.

The six judges hail from Europe, Russia, Italy, and South Korea, with careers spanning three continents. This level of judging is a top-tier configuration in international pet grooming competitions.

II. The Largest International Lineup in History

This year's "Golden Finger Award" brings together twelve national and regional teams from France, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan, Slovenia, and Hong Kong, China — the largest number of participating countries and regions in the event's history. A lineup of this scale is extremely rare in international pet grooming events; even within the EGA competition system, it is uncommon for so many national and regional teams to compete together in a single edition. Twelve teams gather in Guangzhou — truly "World Standards, China's Home Turf."

III. A Tour of the National and Regional Teams

• China: As the host, the CIPS × PANGOL China Team will field five top-tier groomers representing China's current best level. Three members are selected from last year's CGGC World Pet Grooming Conference overall champions, runners-up, and third-place winners, while the other two are selected through CIPS × PANGOL tryouts. The five members will compete in five different core categories, covering all key divisions with the strongest lineup to face global elites on home turf.

• France: French elegance and precision flow between scissors and comb. France's pet grooming industry emphasizes animal welfare and personalized care; groomers must hold the CTM (Certificat de capacité pour les métiers du toilettage) to practice. The French team will present a fusion of European grooming tradition and innovation.

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• Italy: Combining Mediterranean styling passion with rigorous breed standards, Italy is a title contender not to be overlooked. In recent years, Italy's pet grooming industry has continued to upgrade toward specialization and refinement, with high-end services such as ozone therapy and skin care becoming new trends.

  

• Malaysia: A representative of Southeast Asian pet grooming strength, the Malaysian team will showcase tropical aesthetics through delicate techniques and deep understanding of Asian breeds. Malaysia's pet grooming industry is highly competitive, with practitioners generally valuing continuous learning and international exchange.

  

• Poland: The Polish team from Central Europe, with solid fundamentals and unique insights into Poodle styling, has repeatedly achieved excellent results in European competitions. Poland's pet grooming industry emphasizes patience, precision, and understanding of animal behavior; groomers need artistic talent and solid practical skills.

  

• Russia: Two Russian teams led by PITER GROOM founders Irina Kovalchuk and Natasha bring the professional heritage of the Russian competition system and demonstrate strong overall strength. Over the past three years, demand for Russian pet grooming services has doubled, and domestic professional grooming cosmetics brands have risen rapidly, with the industry entering a period of rapid development.

  

  

• Saudi Arabia: Middle Eastern pet grooming strength appears for the first time as a national team at the "Golden Finger Award." The addition of the Saudi Arabian team makes this edition's international map more complete. Saudi Arabia's pet grooming industry is in a stage of rapid professionalization, with international training and certification systems being gradually introduced and industry standards continuously improving.

  

• South Korea: The RIKEI TEAM South Korea, a long-term partner of CGGC, competes with a champion lineup this time, showcasing the refinement and innovation of Korean-style pet grooming. South Korea's pet grooming industry has formed a highly specialized division of labor, with feline grooming and hospital-collaborative grooming becoming new growth areas.

  

• Japan: Japanese competitors are known for their extreme attention to detail and rigorous attitude toward breed standards; their work is a dual expression of technique and aesthetics. Japanese pet grooming does not stick to traditional standards but emphasizes personalized styling and creative expression, pursuing unique charm for each pet.

  

• Slovenia: The Slovenian team from Central Europe adds more highlights to this international showdown with solid European traditional techniques. Slovenia's pet grooming industry is in a stage of rapid development, with professional salons gradually expanding from major cities to smaller ones, and a client base becoming increasingly international.

  

• Hong Kong, China: As an important regional team of this edition, the Hong Kong, China team will send elite competitors to demonstrate the professional standards and unique style of Hong Kong's pet grooming industry in line with international practices. Hong Kong's pet grooming market is highly competitive, with practitioners actively pursuing further studies in Japan, Taiwan region, and elsewhere to drive service premiums through technical improvement.

  

IV. Twelve National and Regional Teams, One Arena

From Europe to Asia, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, different schools, styles, and philosophies will collide, exchange, and integrate on the fertile ground of Guangzhou. This is not only a competition but also a deep dialogue of global pet grooming culture.

Event Time: November 13, 2026
Event Venue: Main Stage, Hall 9.3-A051, Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou
Event Name: The 8th "PANGOL" Cup "Golden Finger Award" International Pet Grooming Championship Invitational

Let us witness together — World Standards, China's Home Turf.