Oil wrestling

Cengizhan Şimşek triumphs in Kırkpınar oil wrestling

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.

Ali Gürbüz wins golden belt at 660th Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival

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.

Some 2,160 oil wrestlers to compete in Kırkpınar through weekend

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.

Oil wrestlers to fight for glory in Turkey’s oldest sports event

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.

COVID tests mandatory in ring at Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling tournament

COVID-19 tests will be mandatory for wrestlers and officials at this year's Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling tournament, the Turkish Wrestling Federation announced on July 2. 

According to a statement, all participants will be required to submit a negative PCR test result done within the last 48 hours or they will not be able to enter the competition.

Kırkpınar master calls head oil wrestler to leave Survivor Turkey show over derogatory remarks

Bitter remarks hurled by a contestant in the famous Survivor Turkey TV show against Turkey's Kırkpınar head oil wrestler, calling him a "fool" and a "drag queen," fumigated the atmosphere with Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling festival's master asking the head wrestler to quit the show.

MasterChef Turkey’s Italian judge share candid moments of Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling days

In a candid interview with a YouTuber, an Italian chef, also a jury member of a popular cooking TV game show, MasterChef Turkey, has revealed that he once participated in the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, a traditional 650-year-old wrestling festival conducted annually in the northwestern province of Edirne.

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