A pigeon named Rita from Nederhasselt (Ninove – East Flanders), has been voted the best young pigeon in the world. Recently, Rita also became an Olympic champion. This is exceptional for a pigeon that is less than a year old. "Now she heads for the loft to breed," says pigeon fancier and owner Bert Penne.
46-year-old Bert Penne from Nederhasselt, near Ninove, is proud of his pigeon called Rita. The pigeon, less than a year old, has already won two impressive prizes. First, Rita won the Olympiad, known to pigeon fanciers as the Olympics of pigeon racing. Later, this prize pigeon was voted best young pigeon in the world, winning the World Best Pigeon 2023 title. "It will be difficult ever to match this. I was hoping for a place in the top five at the Olympiad, but no one expected the bird would win three races in a row."
Bert named the prize animal after his mum Rita, who along with his father helps him look after his 130 pigeons every day. "Rita is less than a year old. She now goes to the pigeon loft to breed. I don't trust racing her anymore, because something can always happen."
In 2013, another of Bert’s birds won representing Belgium at the Olympiad. "Ever since I was young, I have been involved in pigeon racing. I grew up in that world. To my knowledge, I am the first Belgian to win the Olympiad. I don't do it for the money. I do this purely as a fancier," Bert concludes.
