TRENCIN, Slovakia (AP) — Ten teams from Slovakia, Poland and Hungary have turned mounds of ground in a competition to crown the fastest gravediggers in central Europe.

The Grave Digging Championships held Thursday in the Slovakian city of Trencin was meant to promote the funeral industry and bring some levity to a serious profession.

The contest graded the teams on speed and accuracy. No modern tools were allowed, only shovels and picks.

Graves had to be dug to exact specifications: 1.5-meters deep, 2-meters long and 1.5-meters wide.

Some teams made quick progress, while layers of gravel slowed others.

Event spokesman Christian Striz says the sponsors wanted to show how strenuous the job is.

A team representing Peter Pastorok's funeral services from the Slovakian village of Kalna nad Hronom emerged as the winner.