Inside the ancient oilless ring championship in Türkiye

Under the burnt heat of the Turkish sun, two men collide, and all muscles shining with oil are nervous and nervous. The heat smells of the grassed grass. The drums are steadily beaten and sometimes interrupted by the male voice. Both are the only way to win this greasy battle to dig into the sweaty skin and dig into the opponent's leather shorts.

This is an oilless ring. This is an ancient sport practiced in some of the Türkiye, Iran and the Balkans. At the center of it is a two -periban (wrestler) immersed in olive oil and trapped in a slippery struggle. It was covered only with black buffalo skin shots, the name was embroidered on the back, the wrestler was grapple, pushed, pulled, fixed the enemy's shoulders to the ground, and achieved victory and honor in the process.

Here, the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edeen, West Turkey, is as high as they get. In July, Turkish top Perivans gather for this ultimate confrontation. Currently, in the 664th year, it is one of the oldest sports events in the world. The competition was thought to have been born as a morale booster of the Ottoman's army, and eventually evolved into a festival that honored Sultan. However, the petroleum wrestling as a sport is before the Ottoman Empire, and the roots of the area dates back to the 8th century BC during the Greco Roman era. In the ancient Olympics, oil has appeared in the wrestling game to strengthen the challenge.

In the early round, multiple duels are simultaneously across the grass arena, and enthusiastic fans scan the next slip and takedown. However, my eyes are fixed to the game in front of me, between Yusuf Can Zeybek and his opponent. The tallest, not bulky, Yusuf Can is a power to consider. His speed and insignificant accuracy have won the honorary title of last year's Golden belt and Bashiperiban (Chieflesser).

“This is the best rank,” said Ahmettaşçı when he later met him in the barracks behind the stadium. I recognize him from the statue at the entrance of the stadium. He is one of the legendary Pelliban's selected panteon and is immortal for their extraordinary feat. He is now in the late 60's, but the short Hercules man is not much different from his statue. The wide shoulders and the glowing abdomen are etched into shining black granite.

“You have to dedicate your life to your craft and become a bash prerivan at Kırkpınar,” he says. Nine champions, Ahmet, is the only living owner of the eternal Golden Belt, awarded to those who have achieved three consecutive victories. His handshake will definitely leave -20 years after retiring from the sports, he was still able to throw me like a dried grass bag.

“Today's youth is more glorious than tradition,” he continues. “But the petroleum wrestling is about sportsmanship and respect.” Before the match, the wrestler plays Pesuref. A wrestler is a ritual that wrestlers are kneeling on both sides of the stadium in fashion like a toy soldier, greeting the audience, kneeling and respecting the soil, and symbolizing the final return to nature. 。 After the game is over, the winner will lift and accept the opponent and secure a respect for respect.

The wrestler's family, especially in the early rounds, has many audiences. The petroleum wrestling is known for the entire turkey, but it is a niche sports. The most dedicated fans are from Barquesur in western Turkish, the southern Antalya, and the headquarters of Yarukus.

Yörüks comes to Edirun to see the wrestlers compete, but Kırkpınar attracts travelers because of exceeding the oil wrestling. In the Ottoman, it was purely rooted as a wrestling competition, which grew into a wider celebration of culture. UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kırkpınar, has recently changed from a three -day sporting event to a one -week celebration by traditional dance show, food market and concerts by beloved Turkish artists. The championship will be the center stage.

On Sunday, the day of the final match, we explored the city center of the morning of Edirun in the morning when the early round was deployed. The city, just 10 minutes by car from the Greek border, served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. After a 30 -minute walk in a residential area, which separates the festival site from the center of the town, I arrive on a hill overlooking the busy cobblestone in the city. This is a site of Edirne's Crown Jewell: The Selimiye Mosque, UNESCO's World Heritage Site, and the Ottoman Imperial Architect Mimar Sinan's Magnum Opus. It is a vast dome and a colorful tile -shaped interior, a breathtaking symbol of the empire's golden age.

When you go down the hill, all kinds of shops welcome visitors. The most attractive, however, is a restaurant that fills the air with the fragrance of the fried calf, a representative dish of Edirun. It is lightly applied with powdered flour and fried, onion, tomato, pepper dip, bread, good night, and melted mouth.

A few places, I pass the izakaya preparing at night. Patron sees a table covered with a shared maze plate, the smell of anise, a Turkish national drink laki associated with food, and a rich and fun music of Roman musicians. Tips.

Late that day, I return to the kill pinner, catch the final match, and expect the stadium thickness. The audience will fill all seats and stairs to end the lighter final match prior to the main event. Among the crowds are Istanbul mayor, opposition leaders, and politicians, including former presidents of other countries.

ANTALYA's finalists are Yusuf Can Zeybek and Mustafataş. Defending champion YUSUF CAN is a 5 -foot 10 -inch. He is shorter than the average wrestler, but is known as Jorulmaz Pelliban for his infinite stamina. Mustafa, on the other hand, is a towering 6 -foot 3 inch, 240 -pound power and 2022 title holder.

The collision of Titan begins with a quick and calculated movement to find an opening for the wrestler to acquire the highland, but it quickly becomes a tense deadlock and both of them create inches. The stage on top will be slow. Then, in the 52nd minute, YUSUF can strike. With accuracy and speed, he grabs Mustafa's waistband and legs and suddenly defeats him for a decisive victory. The crowd is in a hurry to the field as a clue.

For the second consecutive year, Yusufu can prove that petroleum wrestling requires not only strength but also resilience and Unning. In July 2025, he follows history. This is the honor of winning three times in a row and becoming one of the living owners of two eternal Golden belts. However, for Yusuf Can, the interests are deeply personal. I will catch him in an interview after the game in a reporter and fans. “I struggled for her,” he mentions to his late mother and suppresses tears. “I return the belt to my village and put it on her grave.”