Traditional oil wrestling festival kicks off with record level participation

The traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, considered Türkiye's longest-running sports event, has kicked off for the 661st time in the northwestern province of Edirne.

The historical event, which could not be held in 2020 due to the pandemic and was held with a one-third audience last year, kicked off with junior wrestlers competing on grass fields on July 1. The event will conclude with the final wrestling that will determine the chief wrestler on July 3.

Wrestling fans and domestic and international visitors flocked to the province to see wrestlers competing at a field in Sarayiçi, one of Edirne's most crucial recreational sites.

"Last year, there were nearly 2,500 participants. We expect this number to exceed this year, and looking forward to nearly 3,000 wrestlers to register," officials said.

This year, in Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling organized by the municipality, in addition to medals and cups, 75,000 Turkish Liras ($4,400) will be given to the "başpehlivan" (chief wrestler), 48,000 liras ($2,800) will be given to the runner up, and 25,000 liras ($1,400) will be given to the two wrestlers who will share the third place.

According to Kırkpınar rules, a wrestler has to win the chief wrestler title for three successive years in order to win the golden belt forever.

Two-time chief wrestler Ali Gürbüz, will become the eternal owner of the golden belt if he clinches the title this year.

"Since 1997, no wrestler has been the eternal owner of the golden belt. We believe there will be fierce struggles this year," Edirne Mayor Recep Gürkan said.

"All of our hotels in our city are full on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as the 661st Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival starts," said Gökhan Balta, the provincial head...