Nailympia COMPETITIONS NEWS

Immerse in competition highlights, interviews & points to note from the Nailympia realm, with its global director,

Judge & competitor spotlights

We are moving towards the last two Nailympia events for 2025: San Antonio on 28-29 September, then London, for which online category registration closes on 8 August, and the live arena categories take place on 12 and 13 October. Both competitions are open for registration – however, San Antonio welcomes turn-ins (postal entries), while London offers 11 online competitions, as well as arena competitions.

JUDGE SPOTLIGHT: Anneke Van Der Sar

Salon and academy owner, session stylist, distributor & international head judge – the Netherlands @artisticnaildesignnl3

Area of judging expertise: Overall

Years as a judge: 30

Nailympia events judged: 32: in London, Germany, Estonia, Australia, Vietnam, China and London Online.

Industry accolades: CND™ Entrepreneur of the Year, EzFlow international educator, IBD international educator, Aii beauty brand educator, Artistic Nail Design international educator and Treatwell Top Rated Salon.

Favourite nail brand: Artistic Nail Design.

Industry figures you admire: Tom Holcomb, Danny Haile, Jan Arnold, Tom Bachik and Alisha Rimando.

Career biography: I’ve been in the beauty industry since 1982, working as a nail professional since 1992. I’ve been an international educator for different brands since 1995, and now I’m a salon and academy owner in the Netherlands. I also distribute Artistic Nail Design products in the Benelux and to other countries in Europe. I’m still open to new adventures and opportunities, and will never stop looking for something special in this industry. I’ve judged competitions across Europe, the USA and Russia, and have worked with many wonderful people.

Personal biography: I adore music, cooking and my two dachshunds, who bring love and joy into my life. I am a fan of Formula 1 and sharing dinner with friends: taking time to talk, drink and enjoy amazing social experiences.

Advice to competitors: Don’t be afraid to start competing. Many techs have this fear, especially those new to the industry, but there are competitions that cater to all skill levels.

I recommend that all techs register for live competitions, to feel the vibe on the arena floor. It’s so different to taking part in online categories, and the process gets easier the more you compete. Ensure that you understand the rules and regulations, as they vary between competition organisations. Practice the areas you’re comfortable with and seek training for those you are not, and determine what will gain you the most points on a scoresheet. A great model can also be a big support when competing, so choose wisely.

COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT: Genki Itou

Esteemed nail stylist, educator & brand owner – Tokyo, Japan @genki_ito

For over two decades, Genki Itou has quietly yet confidently crafted his name into the fabric of the global nail industry. He is not only a celebrated international competitor, but a revered educator, product developer and the founder of Nail Atelier GENKI.

“I started learning the nail craft at the age of 15,” Genki recalls. “I used to travel for two and a half hours from my hometown to Tokyo to attend classes.” That early dedication laid the foundation for a lifetime of artistry. Though he originally dreamed of becoming a figure prototype sculptor or working in special effects make-up, a segment on Japanese TV that showcased nail art shifted everything. “After watching that programme, I found my path and decided to pursue a career in nails,” he shares.

Today, Genki’s focuses are on educating via his academy in Japan, delivering seminars and competing across Asia and in the UK. His creative philosophy remains grounded in authenticity, and he shares: “I don’t like copying others. I draw inspiration from outside the nail world: from movies to music, textures and conversations. These can all spark and fuel design ideas. I also like to stay in touch with all my senses when I’m inside the creative process – including sight, sound and touch.”

Despite a trophy cabinet filled with accolades, including four Nailympia Winner Of Winners titles and over 30 medals across nine Nailympia competitions: all in Division 3 – masters, Genki remains humble and driven. “I always aim to do better than my last creation,” he reveals. “If I ever feel satisfied, I think I’ll stop growing.”

Competition, for Genki, is more than a quest for titles: it’s a tool for growth. “I entered my first competition in 2006, but it was just for fun. However, once I started teaching, I realised I needed to keep my knowledge sharp for my students,” he says. “Competing helps me check if my teaching is still relevant. It’s not about winning – it’s about the journey of preparation.” That philosophy was tested in May 2025 at Nailympia China. “I was honoured to receive the Division 3 Winner Of Winners title, but even so, I saw many areas for improvement. I’ll continue training to create work I’m truly pleased with,” Genki notes.

Beyond the arena, Genki’s influence is quietly revolutionary, and his thoughtful approach has inspired students in China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. “The people in this industry are so detail-focused,” he says. “It’s a passionate world, and being part of it feeds my soul.”

Genki is also deeply aware of the challenges new competitors face with their confidence. His advice? “Start small. Pick one category that excites you, compete with a model you trust and don’t overwhelm yourself. If you’re ever competing where I am, come and say ‘hi’. I don’t speak much English, but I’ll help calm your nerves. Sharing the experience and having fun together is what makes competing so rewarding.”

At his core, Genki Itou is a sculptor of nails, ideas and human connection. With his sights set on exploring new global scenes and continuously refining his teaching methods, he remains, above all, an artist in constant evolution.

NEWS BYTE

The Pivot Point education platform has published its second Nailympia-focused interview. I’m joined by the USA’s Alisha Rimando, who is a globally recognised head judge, educator, product developer & founder of GlossaryLive.com.

Hosted by Buddy Sims, learning experience (LX) specialist at Pivot Point, the webinar offers a deep dive into the evolution, mission and exciting direction of Nailympia Competitions heading into the second half of 2025. Buddy, a seasoned industry professional with over a decade of experience, brought valuable insight to the discussion, utilising his background as a finalist and judge for NAILS Next Top Nail Artist, salon owner and from collaborations with manufacturers, distributors and state boards. Buddy, who also joined the Nailympia judging panel at Premiere Anaheim and Premiere Orlando 2025, added his first-hand knowledge of the event to the conversation.

Together, the panel explored the mechanics of nail competitions, the personal and professional growth that comes from competing, and the value of stepping onto the international stage to showcase artistic prowess.

Visit www.pivot-point.com to watch the webinar.

The Nailympia Competitions 2025 global campaign imagery is courtesy of: Nails: Elena Popova @popovaelena_nfp Photographer: Elena Gelberg @pena_litrova Make-up artist: Varvara Tabutarova @varvara_tabu Hair stylist: Ksenia Golubeva @ksenja_golubeva Model: Alina Philipskaya @alina__0606

For information about Nailympia Competitions, including how to enter, visit www.nailympia.com /Nailympia @nailympiacompetitions