EDIRNE, Türkiye – After nearly an hour of fighting his opponent under the scorching sun, from Türkiye “Tireless Wrestler” was crowned the winner of the 663rd Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships.
Yusuf Can Zeybek, from the Mediterranean province of Antalya, retained the title he won last year in a competition that dates back to the 14th century. The 30-year-old player, who gets his nickname for the resistance he shows in fights, was among the 40 fighters, or pehlivans, who took part in the final day of the competition, Sunday.
The fights, which took place on a grass arena in Turkey’s northwestern Edirne province, were held in temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit), causing one competitor to faint and require medical attention.
Zeybek triumphed in the 56th minute of his match against 2022 champion Mustafa Tas, winning the gold belt and 550,000 lira (about US$16,800) in prize money.
In sport, which is in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, wrestlers cover themselves in olive oil, making it harder for opponents to grab them. The winner is the fighter who makes the opponent’s back touch the ground.
It is said to have started in the 1360s when the second Ottoman sultan, Sultan Orhan, wanted to keep his soldiers fit and ready for battle. But oil wrestling has been practiced throughout the region for thousands of years.
Fighters are chosen from men who demonstrate moral character and must be invited by Master Kirkpinar. The invitation is delivered by sending a red candle to the nominated pehlivans in early March.
The fighters, wearing leather pants called kispet, are covered with oil poured from a copper jar before the fight begins and engage in a highly ritualized procession to begin the fight. In the early stages of the tournament, dozens of fighters fight in a large grass arena.
Opening day on Saturday featured 40 competitors displaying the ultranationalist “Grey Wolf” salute which previously caused a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Germany.
The salute – holding the thumb and two middle fingers to form a snout while the outer fingers are raised like ears – led to a two-game suspension for one of Turkey’s football players when it happened in a match, a move condemned in Germany, host of the European Championship. Turkish authorities defended the sign as an expression of Turkish pride. Critics say it glorifies a right-wing group known for racism and violence against minorities.
Congratulating Zeybek, Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak said: “I would also like to thank all our wrestlers who competed at the historic Kirkpinar competition ground for their contributions to keeping our historical heritage alive.”
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Wilks reported from Istanbul.
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