Turkey’s Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Tournament Dates Back Over 600 Year
Published on October 20, 2017
Oil wrestling is the national sport of Turkey — seriously — and competitors can win good money.
The Kirkpinar, one of the world’s oldest wrestling competitions in the world, has been held every year since 1346. During the oil wrestling event, competitors cover themselves in olive oil and reach for opponents’ trousers for an effective hold.
This year 2,200 oil wrestlers competed for the golden belt. Ismail Balaban, 30, went home with the title. He also took home $14,000 in prize money — and exceptionally smooth skin.
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