Often times during these competitions people, whether it be koi owner, breeder, judges, or whomever is running the event would often times add a sedative or something like "Koi calm" or small amounts of clove oil or something of that matter in the water to help the fish calm down, and just swim nonchalantly. It helps the fish swim peacefully in the water and allows people to view the fish without it freaking out or trying to jump out the bowl or whatever they're in. And often times these people handle the fish so often that the fish won't get crazy and squirm around when moving. And during harvest and such when they're being handled, the people handling them just have so much experience that they make it look easy.
