Fez — Darlen Fleur Dalmore Black, an Abyssinian show cat from Russia, has claimed the top spot in the 2025 “Best Cat” ranking issued by the World Cat Federation, finishing the year with the highest score among nearly 1,500 competing cats worldwide.
The annual ranking is based on cumulative results from officially sanctioned shows, rather than a single final competition. Darlen closed the season with 19,726 points, securing first place ahead of competitors from Thailand and Belarus.
How the ranking is decided
The World Cat Federation’s “Best Cat” system evaluates cats across an entire calendar year. Points are awarded at certified shows, with judges scoring animals based on breed standards, physical condition, and behavior in the ring. Only a cat’s strongest results are counted toward the final total.
According to the federation’s official Best Cat ranking platform, Darlen Fleur Dalmore Black competed in more than 40 shows during the 2025 season. That high level of participation, combined with consistently strong placements, allowed him to build a lead that held through the final rankings.
Why Darlen finished first
Abyssinians are judged on balance, muscle tone, head structure, ear placement, eye expression, and the quality of their signature ticked coat. Darlen repeatedly met these standards, particularly in movement, coat uniformity, and overall harmony.
Judges also consider temperament. Cats must tolerate handling and unfamiliar environments while remaining composed. Darlen’s calm behavior in the ring helped reinforce his scores across multiple events.
His World Champion title and accumulated distinctions are listed in his official World Cat Federation profile, which records his championship status and show history.
The cats that followed
Second place in the 2025 ranking went to MelodySharm P-Shark, a Highland Fold, also known as a Scottish Fold Longhair, from Thailand. The cat finished the season with 18,594 points and holds the World Champion title, reflecting a strong year across the Asian and international show circuits.
Third place was claimed by Moki TarLen Luxury, a British Shorthair from Belarus, who ended the year with 18,217 points. Like the top two cats, Moki TarLen Luxury also carries the World Champion title and competed consistently throughout the season.
The full results and point totals are available through the World Cat Federation’s official Best Cat 2025 rankings, which list the top-performing cats by score, breed, and country.
What the result shows
Darlen Fleur Dalmore Black’s win highlights how demanding the World Cat Federation ranking has become. Success requires not only strong breed characteristics, but also endurance, careful preparation, and repeated performance under different judges.
With competitors from multiple continents filling the top three positions, the 2025 ranking reflects the increasingly international nature of elite cat shows. Darlen’s first-place finish stands out as a full-season achievement, earned through consistency rather than a single standout moment, and sets a high benchmark for future contenders.
