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After a year-long pandemic break, the sounds of flute flutes and drums were once again greeted by thousands of Turkish fighting fans who returned to the north-west of the country for the 600-year-old oil wrestling tournament.
Last year’s competition was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But spectators flocked to the province of Edirne on the Greek border over the weekend for the XIV. To watch a sport of the century.
For three days, the contestants wore leather trousers known as “‘ kispet ”and fought freely in olive oil-soaked Baspehlivani or the main fighter to achieve the equivalent of the world sports champion.
This year’s tournament, the 660th to be held, was held by Ali Gurbuz from the Mediterranean province of Antalya after his 48-minute fight in the grassy Ismail Koc square in Ankara.
The victorious fighter rose to the shoulders of the fans as the crowd was playing the flute and drums in recognition of his achievement. This is Gurbuz’s fourth “golden belt” after his victories in 2011, 2012 and 2019.
“I’m very happy,” Gurbuz said after the win. “In 2020 there was no fighting as a result of the pandemic. In 2021 I became a major fighter. I look forward to being the main fighter next year and the permanent owner of the gold belt. ”
About 3,000 fighters took part in this year’s tournament at a field in Sarayici, Edirne.
Edirne Mayor Recep Gurkan said the tournament organizers have complied with all health guidelines and restrictions to make fans and fighters as safe as possible from the COVID-19 deployment.
“Of course, the oil fight has its own disciplines, traditions, customs and traditions,” Gurkan said. “According to God (the will), on this day we will end the battle of the 660th oil of Kirkpinar and perform all the rituals one by one, without skipping a single one.”
Event master Seyfettin Selim said the fighters ’one-year hiatus has affected their physical condition, but the tournament has helped shape them again.
“These fighters didn’t fight for a year and we saw them here, some fainted, others lost their breath,” Selim said. “We’ve closed the gap this year. Hopefully next year will be better. “
The festival, one of the oldest fighting events in the world, was declared an intangible cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2010.
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