(Yicai) May 26 -- The 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament, a traditional event celebrating the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, saw a record number of participants in 10 years.

The two-day event that ended yesterday included 1,078 participants from around the world representing 58 teams. The competition had five categories: elite, open, university, high school, and public.

The number of international participants surged 82 percent to 89 athletes this year from a year earlier, with teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and others taking part. In addition, enthusiasts from the United States, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, Singapore, and South Africa were key members of local teams.

Teams gather at the Brilliant City Mengqing Garden water area in Shanghai's Putuo district under a bridge with hundreds of spectators.

A team with foreigners smiles for a picture from their boat.

An international team competes in one of the races.

The dragon boat teams of East China University of Science and Technology and Shanghai Ocean University engage in a fierce race.

Editor: Martin Kadiev