PhotosTurkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022: See Fascinating Photos From 661st Annual Kirkpinar - In Pics
Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022: See Fascinating Photos From 661st Annual Kirkpinar - In Pics
Oil wrestling or grease wrestling is believed to be started some 4,500 years ago in Thrace and the Balkans. The most famous oil wrestling tournament is held in Turkey. Named Kirkpinar, it has its root in Ottoman days, and it is widely regarded as the world's oldest continuously running sporting competition. As the name suggests, the competitors -- called pehlivan -- covered their bodies in oil. In Turkish, oil wrestling is called yagli gures.
Updated: 06 Jul 2022 8:52 am
113Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Wrestlers compete during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
213Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
A wrestler cools off as he competes during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
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313Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Wrestlers, doused in olive oil, wait to be introduced to the crowds during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
413Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
A wrestler celebrates as he competes during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
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513Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
A wrestler is doused in oil by an 'oiler', during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
613Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
An injured wrestlers is taken out on a stretcher as he competes during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
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713Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
An exhausted wrestler lies on the ground after competing during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
813Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Wrestlers follow the action during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
913Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
A young amateur wrestler is helped to recover by others during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
1013Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
A wrestler cools off as he competes during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
1113Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Band members play traditional music during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
1213Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Wrestlers compete during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.
1313Turkey Oil Wrestling Festival 2022
| Photo: AP/Francisco Seco
Wrestlers, doused in olive oil, greet each other as they are introduced to the crowds during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship, in Edirne, northwestern Turkey. The festival is part of UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritages.