Ananova:

A man landed a 10st 6lb fish with his bare hands to win a prestigious fishing contest in Nigeria.

Bello Yakub, 48, wrestled his monster fish out of the water with the help of two flimsy nets to win £17,000.

The 66kg fish was almost his own weight, reports the BBC.

Over 20,000 fishermen had entered the annual Argungu fishing festival in the northern state of Kebbi.

Mr Yakub said this was the first time he had won in more than 30 attempts.

"I just hope I can use the prize money for something good," he told reporters.

The huge fish are called Giwan Rua, which means "elephant of the water".

The men line up a kilometre away from the Fadan Mata river outside the village of Argungu and at the sound of a gun charge into the water.

The prize money is provided by the Kebbi state government and the ministry of culture and tourism.