Oil wrestling

Their torsos slick with oil and sweat, the fighters grapple and tussle for gold and glory, competing in a venerable Turkish sport dating back to the time of the Ottomans.

Every July, scores of wrestlers flock to the Kırkpınar tournament in the northwest of the country, a national and international attraction that gained UNESCO cultural recognition in 2010.

The 663rd Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival has kicked off in the northwestern province of Edirne with the newly determined preselection system for the first time in its history.

The countdown has begun for one of the oldest wrestling festivals, held since 1360 in the northwestern province of Edirne, with hotel occupancy in the border city reaching its peak, according to a sector representative.

The celebrations of Kakava and Hıdırellez, marking the onset of spring and recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, recently have taken place in the western province of Edirne.

Starting with the energetic Roma dance group performances which set the tone for the evening's festivities, locals in traditional attire further added color to the event.

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.

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.

Ali Gürbüz won the golden belt at the ancient 660th Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival after defeating his opponent İsmail Koç in Turkey's northwestern Edirne province on July 11.

Gürbüz also wins the title of Başpehlivan - the chief wrestler - for the second time in a row, with four times in total.

He will wear the prestigious golden belt for one more year.

Turkey's oldest Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival started in the northwestern province of Edirne on July 9 and will continue through the weekend, marking its 660th anniversary.

Some 2,160 wrestlers will compete at a field in Sarayiçi, one of Edirne's most crucial recreational sites.

The traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling competition, Turkey's oldest sports event, kicks off today for the 660th time in the northwestern province of Edirne.

Wrestling fans and domestic and international visitors flocked to the province to see the major event that traces its roots to the early times of the Ottoman Empire.

The traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling competition, which is considered Turkey's longest-running sports event, will start this weekend for the 660th time in the northwestern province of Edirne after a year of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.