Orhan Okulu

Cengizhan Şimşek won the title of "başpehlivan" (chief wrestler) and the coveted golden belt at the ancient 661st oil wrestling festival held in Türkiye's northwestern province of Edirne on July 3.

The epic battle between two strong wrestlers, Şimşek and Mustafa Taş, was not concluded in normal time, with both of them preferring a passive style.

Turkish athlete Orhan Okulu won Sept. 9 the title of the chief wrestler (Baspehlivan) at the 666th edition of the traditional Elmali Oil Wrestling tournament in Antalya, Turkey, breaking a record. Click through for the story in photos...

Orhan Okulu, celebrates after winning the 657th annual Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival final against Şaban Yılmaz, on the ground right, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey, Sunday, July 15, 2018. Orhan won the final. Wrestlers take part in this "sudden death"-style traditional competition wearing only a pair of leather trousers and a good slick of olive oil. AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

The traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling competition, Turkey's longest running sports event, starts this week for a 656th time in the northwestern province of Edirne.

The event is expected to attract local and international tourists from July 14 to July 16. 

The traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling competition, Turkey's longest running sports event, starts this week for a 656th time in the northwestern province of Edirne.

The event is expected to attract local and international tourists from July 14 to July 16.