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

Turkey 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.