The owner of the Whippet who won the best in Show Award in Crufts 2025 broke his silence after furious fans claimed that the favorite was 'robbed' of the coveted prize.
The prestigious competition was immersed in a bitter row after dog handler Giovanni Liguori, 30, and his four -year -old Whippet Miuccia, from Venice, Italy, the main prize on the NEC, in Birmingham, in Birmingham, in Birmingham.
Mr Liguori said it was a lifelong dream to win when he celebrated that he and Miuccia became the first handler and dog from Italy who was crowned the best in the show at Crufts in his 134-year-old history.
A wave of recoil threatened to reduce the celebrations of Mr Liguori, shortly after furious viewers claimed that the judges had made a 'shocking' decision not to choose Jack Russell Ana as the winner.
The two -year -old puppy, handled by Andrea Vallerini in another Italian double act, stole the hearts of viewers after winning the Terriergroepstitel on Thursday, but did not succeed in making the stage even the best in the show category on Sunday.
After an action of an action for four days, with more than 18,000 dogs traveling from all over the world to compete, furious viewers flocked to social media to express their dissatisfaction and accused the judge of 'daylight robbery' after Ana was chased away.
The narrator of the show even noticed: “The Jack Russell was the public winner, but did not make the stage this time.”
But only speaking against MailOnline today, Mr Liguori insisted that he and Miuccia had 'absolutely' right to win while appealing for the first time.
Crufts came under fire after the announcement of the 2025 winner of Best in Show. Displayed: Miuccia, a Whippet, poses with owner Giovanni Liguori, from Italy
The announcement caused a stir among fans, who destroyed the 'shocking' decision on social media and claimed that the judges robbed 'Jack Russell, Ana (depicted with handler Andrea Vallerini), from the crown
'It's fine! Everyone has the right to choose their own favorite, “he said. 'The Jack Russell is a super funny little animal that conquered the hearts of many people.
'It is very good that everyone has the right to have their own winner, but of course there was the judge who chose [the dog]In their opinion, which according to De Standaard was the most correct. '
Liguori, who said it was a 'dream' to win the main prize on his debut of Crufts, insisted that he was 'absolutely not' about the recoil.
When asked if he thought the judge made the right decision, he stood: “Absolutely. Miuccia is a big winner in Europe, so she has won a lot here and she is very correct, moderate and balanced, with a beautiful side gate. It's effortless.
'I am very happy that she is also appreciated in the UK. I'm happy with this. '
For the Lord Liguori, his focus is on switching the victory and celebrating his victory.
He said: 'I feel super happy, excited and on cloud nine. I really can't believe what happened. It is really the best for a Fokker Handler to win the best in the show at Crugts.
“And so for me it's a great emotion, it's hard to describe.
Liguori says he is organizing a party for next week back in Italy, where he lives, but for the time being spends time with Miucci, his father and his best friends.
Liguori said it was a 'dream come true' to win the best in the show on Crufts during his debut in the show
Ana stole the hearts of viewers after winning the title of the Terrier Group, but failed to make the stage for the best in the show category on Sunday
Miuccia, a whippet, runs around the ring with owner Giovanni Liguori, from Italy, after winning the title for the best in the show
Miuccia is the first Italian dog to win the prize and only becomes the fourth whippet to do this
Miuccia, a Whippet, poses with owner Giovanni Liguori, from Italy, and friends and family after winning the title
Talk about winning during his debut at Crufts, he said: 'It'Is something that you dream of winning all your life. If it happens so suddenly and in an unexpected way Really very special.
He said it was 'even more special' to be the first Italian who won.
'It is not only the victory of Miuccia, but I think it is also the victory of Italy, and I am super happy to represent all Italian breeders in the UK at Crugts and especially the young handlers and breeders like me.
'I am 30 years old, so I think it's a fantastic example that when you grow up and you work hard, you can achieve what you dream. It is a nice message for the young breeders. '
It marks the second year that Jack Russell Fan's favorite has missed the Best in Show Award at Crugts.
At Crufts 2024, an Australian shepherd named Viking, won best in Show and beat Jack Russell and fan favorite Zen who finished second.
Various furious fans flowed to social media to express their anger about Jack Russell this year, Ana, 'robbed'.
The four -year -old Whippet, Miuccia (left), was the best crowned in the show winner during this year's event, while Tibetan Mastiff, Viking (right), was appointed
Furious fans went to X to share their anger about the decision to award the prize to Miuccia via Ana
'A furious fan wrote under a post uploaded to Crufts' account:' Jrt should have gained it. Shocking decision. '
A second said: “I loved little Jack Russell, she should have won,” while a third smelled, “the Jack Russell should have been. Absolutely a joke. '
One person claimed that judges have overlooked and wrote the breed for a second consecutive year: “2nd year in a row, Jack Russell was robbed!”
Another fan wrote in accordance: 'Jack Russell Dogs are always robbed in Crufts. Last year or this year the best in the show should have been for them. '
Another joked: 'Haha, the judge should have went to Specsavers. The Jack Russell performed the best. '
