The highest achievement in the CFA show ring is accomplished when a cat successfully earns the title of National Winner (NW). CFA established the title of Grand Champion in 1930 and the title of National Winner first appeared in 1971. In CFA, each year the top 25 cats in Championship, 25 Kittens and 25 cats in Premiership are awarded the NW title.
In the mid-1960's, efforts were made to breed a more moderate, balanced breed of cat. Crossing the Siamese and Burmese, it was decided to call the new breed Tonkinese. Acceptance with CFA was a hard road, and many opposed the recognition of this new breed, seeing them as merely pet quality Siamese or Burmese. CFA finally accepted them for registration in 1978, and they were accepted for championship status in 1984.
It wasn't until the 1991-92 show season that the Tonkinese had their first National Winner - a female named GC, GP, NW Honeypointe Uptown Girl who was 9th Best Alter.
To date, no Tonkinese has earned a "Best" in any of the categories - the breed's most successful season to date was the 2003-04 show season, where Tonkinese earned 3 National placements.
Below is a table with the national winning Tonkinese including their name, color, sex, year of their win, and the award they earned.
If the cat's name is in blue text, you can click on it to see a photo of the cat. Championship cats names are on an orange background, kittens are on pink and alters are on a blue background.
Tonkinese National Winners in CFA
| Year | Position | Cat's Name | Color | Sex |
| 1984-85 through 1989-90 |
No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1990-91 | 9th Best Alter | GC, GP, NW Honeypointe's Uptown Girl | Platinum Mink | S |
| 1991-92 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1992-93 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1993-94 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1994-95 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1995-96 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1996-97 | 14th Best Cat | GC, NW Torador's Antigone of Seaflower, DM | Platinum Mink | F |
| 1997-98 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1998-99 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 1999-00 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 2000-01 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 2001-02 | 5th Best Cat | GC, BW, NW Purrtek's Chianti | Platinum Mink | F |
| 2002-03 | 15th Best Alter | GP, NW Cylin's Julia of Cking | Platinum Mink | S |
| 2003-04 | 12th Best Cat | GC, BW, NW Lovnpaws Jack Daniels of Purrtek | Platinum Mink | M |
| 16th Best Cat | GC, NW Opurra Jack Rance of Spielzeit | Platinum Mink | M | |
| 12th Best Alter | GP, NW Seaflower's Annette | Platinum Mink | S | |
| 2004-05 | 20th Best Alter | GP, NW Wenlock Courante of Dulcimer | Champagne Mink | S |
| 2005-06 | 6th Best Cat | GC, BW, NW Seaflower's Little Rosebud | Platinum Point | F |
| 8th Best Alter | GP, NW Karessence Ralph Lauren | Platinum Mink | N | |
| 2006-07 | No Tonkinese National Winners | |||
| 2007-08 | 20th Best Alter | CH, GP, NW Cecchetti Million Dollar Baby | Platinum Mink | N |
| 2008-09 | 5th Best Cat | GC, BW, NW Purrtek's Moscato | Platinum Point | M |
| 2009-10 | 7th Best Kitten | GC, NW Purrtek Syrah | Platinum Mink | M |
| 21st Best Kitten | GC, NW Purrtek Summer Wine | Platinum Point | M | |
| 2010-11 | 3rd Best Cat | GC, BW, NW Purrtek Shiraz | Platinum Point | M |
| 9th Best Kitten | GC, NW Seaflower's Sweet William Rose | Platinum Point | M | |
