Oil wrestling is known to be one of Turkey’s oldest sports and every year since 1346 there has been, and still is, a three day long festival held in Edirne. This festival is known as the Kirkpinar festival. Not only is Oil Wrestling one of Turkey’s oldest sports, it’s also Turkey’s national sport.
Oil wrestling can be traced back to the ancient Sumer and Babylon. The city of Edirne was also the capital of the Ottoman Empire for 91 years.
The wrestlers douse themselves in Olive Oil to make the fight fair. This match is not about the size or strength of the wrestler but more about the technique used.
Up until 1975 the wrestling matches had no time limit and could go on for hours and sometimes even days! So, in 1975 a time limit was set of 40 minutes.
There is one technique in Oil Wrestling which involves capturing one of your opponent’s legs between your own from an over the top position which prevents your opponent from returning to their knees. This technique became known as ‘The Turk’ after Turkey took home twelve Olympic medals during the 1948 London Olympics, having used this technique immensely.
Every wrestler with a traditional upbringing has an apprentice of whom he trains to take over from him when he retires, to continue the tradition. This trainee is known as a ‘Cirak’.
The wrestlers wear tight short leather trousers called ‘Kispet’. These kispet are traditionally made from Water Buffalo leather weighing approximately 13 kilograms (29 pounds)
During the Kirkpinar Festival usually Roast Lamb is the popular food with entertainment of Belly Dancing accompanied by Turkish traditional instruments, the ‘Davul’ (drum) and ‘Zurna’ (a type of flute) with singing.
The winner of the Kirkpinar gains around 100.000 US Dollars along with the title ‘Champion of Turkey’. He also receives ‘The Baspehlivan’ of the year award. The wrestler who successfully wins this award for three consecutive years receives a 1.5 kilogram 14 carat gold belt alongside his cash reward.