At an annual event in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, people have demonstrated their skills at scooping up small goldfish on Sunday.

The national event took place in the city of Yamatokoriyama, a major goldfish farming region in the country. The contest marked its 28th anniversary this year.

About 1,700 people, including some from the United States and other countries, took part.

Armed with fragile paper scoops, the competitors tried to capture as many goldfish as possible in three minutes from 20 tubs containing about 1,000 fish each.

There were individual titles for junior high and elementary school children, as well as for older people. Three-member groups also competed.

Spectators were allowed to enter the venue for the first time in four years since the coronavirus outbreak.

One participant from Aichi Prefecture said her group advanced to the semifinal by scooping up a total of 66 fish. She said she enjoyed the event and managed to keep the paper scoop intact for the entire three minutes, capturing 20 fish.