A Slippery Competition
One of the most traditional and culturally deeply rooted sporting events is oil wrestling, which takes place annually in June in Edirne, Turkey, in the Kirkpinar region. This sport, one of the oldest organized wrestling competitions in the world, captivates athletes and spectators alike. The participants, also known as Pehlivan, compete in an arena, covered from head to toe in olive oil, which adds an extra dimension of challenge and skill to the fight.
Unlike Olympic wrestling, which has strict rules regarding grip techniques and scoring, oil wrestling requires a special technique: the fighters must get a firm grip on the “Kisbet”, the traditional wide leather trousers, to overpower their opponent. This unique equipment and the use of olive oil make the fights particularly slippery and demanding, requiring a high level of physical strength and tactical intelligence from the athletes and offering the spectators a fascinating and exciting spectacle.
