The Nagagutsu Hockey Tournament was held in Akita City for the first time in four years, where ice hockey players wear boots instead of skates, and ice hockey enthusiasts competed fiercely.
"Nagagutsu Hockey" is a sport that was devised in Hokkaido so that people can easily enjoy ice hockey by wearing boots instead of skates.
Akita City also held a competition at this time every year, but it was canceled due to the new corona, and this year it was held at the prefectural skating rink in the city for the first time in four years.
Approximately 180 players ranging in age from their 20s to 60s from 16 teams, mainly from the Tohoku region, will participate in the 10-minute first and second halves using balls made from soft materials to score points.
During the match, some players were able to make coordinated passes and shots while running and sliding quickly on the ice in their boots, while others lost their balance and fell.
A man in his 40s from Iwate Prefecture who participated said, "It's been a long time since I've played in a tournament, so I can't move my body, but it's fun to play with my friends."