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 June of 1981, a pair of stray kittens showed up on the doorstep of 2 cat lovers in California. Both had odd looking ears, that curled back over their heads. Although one of the girls unfortunately disappeared, the other kitten - a black long-haired girl named Shulamith - remained, to become the foundation cat for this new breed. With the help of judge Jean Grimm, the breed was first presented to the public in 1983 at a CFA show in Palm Springs. They were accepted by CFA for championship status in 1993, and became the first breed to be accepted by CFA as a single breed, with 2 separate coat lengths.
It wasn't until the 2001-02 show season that the American Curls had their first National Winner - a brown patched McTabby and White longhair female named GC, NW Procurlharem Lookin For Mr Goodcurl, who was 19th Best Kitten.
To date, no American Curl has earned a "Best" in any of the categories - nor has the breed had a National Winner in championship.
Below is a table with the national winning American Curls, 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.
American Curl National Winners in CFA
| Year | Position | Cat's Name | Color | Sex |
| 1993-94 through 2000-01 |
No National Winners | |||
| 2001-02 | 19th Best Kitten | GC, NW Procurlharem Looking For Mr Goodcurl |
Brown Patched McTabby & White LH |
F |
| 2002-03 | 14th Best Alter | GP, NW Procurlharem Oscurl Wilde | Red McTabby & White LH |
N |
| 2003-04 | No National Winners | |||
| 2004-05 | 11th Best Kitten | NW Procurlharem Yankee Dudecurl Dandy | Brown Spotted Tabby & White LH |
M |
| 2005-06 | No National Winners | |||
| 2006-07 | No National Winners | |||
| 2007-08 | No National Winners | |||
| 2008-09 | No National Winners | |||
| 2009-10 | No National Winners | |||
| 2010-11 | No National Winners | |||
| 2011-12 | No National Winners | |||
| 2012-13 | No National Winners | |||
| 2013-14 | No National Winners | |||
| 2014-15 | No National Winners | |||
| 2015-16 | No National Winners | |||
| 2016-17 | No National Winners | |||
| 2017-18 | No National Winners | |||
| 2018-19 | No National Winners | |||
| 2019-20 | No National Winners | |||
| 2020-21 | No National Winners Awarded by CFA this season | |||
| 2021-22 | No National Winners | |||
| 2022-23 | 17th Best Kitten, International | NW Sugar Curl Acacia Honey | Brown Patched Tabby LH | F |