Oil Wrestling Championships - 06 July 2013

Every year since 1640 Turkey’s best wrestlers have gathered once a year for the oldest wrestling contest in the world. Once held in a grassy field of Kirkpinar, the world-renowned Janissaries (an elite fraternity of body guards to the imperial Sultans) trained and mastered in the art as preparation for combat. Today, about 1,000 barefoot wrestlers take part in a ‘sudden death’ style competition wearing only a pair of leather trousers and a lathering of omega 3 rich olive oil.

Competitors pair off, grappling and struggling to gain a grip on their opponent. Tactical moves include a hand down the side of the pants trick and the common schoolboy ‘wedgie’ (grab, lift, flip and throw) to pin ones opponent to the ground! The winner goes on to fight another winner, and so on, until there is only one wrestler left standing.

Originally matches had no set duration and could go on for one or two days. Competitors in the fierce July sunshine must have fried, so thankfully in 1975, matches were capped to a maximum duration of 40 minutes.

Oil wrestling is a revered national sport, which is over 5 centuries old, with champions becoming celebrities and the Turkish president making the journey to present the prized champions crown. A colourful fair also accompanies the event with market stalls selling all variety of curios, gypsy music, singing and dancing - a Bohemian atmosphere indeed!

Additional Information

Join us at the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships, which will coincide with our Aegean Explorer, Istanbul to the Med, Turkey Unplugged, Turkey & Tutankhamen and Turkey Discovered tours departing 06 July 2013.
Arrangements are as follows: Friday 05 July 2013, arrive Istanbul and included transfer to your hotel and overnight. After breakfast on 06 July 2013, we travel to Edirne to take in the action, explore the fair, have lunch and watch the semi-final bouts taking place all afternoon.

What's Included

Our Oil Wrestling Festival package includes:
Airport arrival transfer to hotel
1 night accommodation 4 star hotel on 05 July 2013
Private return journey from Istanbul to Edirne, 2.5 - 3 hour coach trip each way
Escorted by a professional English speaking tour guide providing history and background to the event plus a little ringside commentary on the day.
Lunch in Edirne
Entrance fee to Wrestling stadium for the Semi-final matches