A post shared by Florim Zendeli (@florimzendeli)Some traditions are meant to be preserved — the Kirkpinar Turkish Oil Wrestling Tournament in late June / early July is one of them.For the 661st year (!), men covered themselves in olive oil and braved the heat in western Edirne province to pin down their slippery opponents.
The goal is to make your opponent’s back touch the ground — or his “belly face the sky.”And while an incredible 2,475 wrestlers signed up, only one could win.
Cengizhan Simsek took home the top prize after a nearly hour-long final matchup. A post shared by Balıkesir Haber Televizyon (@balikesirhabertv)To the sound of thousands of spectators, Simsek, 26, from the Mediterranean province of Antalya, was given a golden belt by the nation’s sports minister, Mehmet Kasapoglu.“God granted me this.
I thank God. I put the belt around my neck and fulfilled my dream,” Simsek said.RELATED: This wrestling “alpha male” is marrying his boyfriend.