Ancient Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival marks its 658th anniversary, yet competitors’ will to succeed is fresh as ever
Orhan Akkanat • 05 July 2019 • update: 08 July 2019
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Cihan Demirci
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Cihan Demirci
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Cihan Demirci
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Cihan Demirci
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Salih Baran
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Özgün Tiran
Oil wrestlers battle for glory in Turkey
Cihan Demirci
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 05: Child wrestlers prepare to compete within the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 05, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 05: Child wrestlers prepare to compete within the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 05, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Chief wrestlers prepare to compete in the first round matches on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete during the third round match on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Özgün Tiran - Anadolu Agency )Özgün Tiran
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Özgün Tiran - Anadolu Agency )Özgün Tiran
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Young wrestlers compete on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Wrestlers compete during quarter-final competition on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Hakan Mehmet Şahin - Anadolu Agency )Hakan Mehmet Şahin
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Ali Gurbuz and Serhat Gokmen compete during the third round match on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Özgün Tiran - Anadolu Agency )Özgün Tiran
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival: Semi-final
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Wrestlers Orhan Okulu (L) and Mehmet Yesil Yesil (R) compete during their semi-final competition on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. Orhan Okulu advanced to the final. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Cihan Demirci - Anadolu Agency )Cihan Demirci
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Young wrestlers compete on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Hakan Mehmet Şahin - Anadolu Agency )Hakan Mehmet Şahin
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. 16 chief wrestlers qualify for the third round after their competitions. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Cihan Demirci - Anadolu Agency )Cihan Demirci
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 05: Child wrestlers prepare to compete within the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 05, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Chief wrestlers are being prepared prior to their second round competition on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Hakan Mehmet Şahin - Anadolu Agency )Hakan Mehmet Şahin
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. 16 chief wrestlers qualify for the third round after their competitions. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 05: Wrestlers compete within the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 05, 2019.
( Özgün Tiran - Anadolu Agency )Özgün Tiran
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Young wrestlers are seen ahead of competing against each other on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Özgün Tiran - Anadolu Agency )Özgün Tiran
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Wrestlers compete on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 06: Young wrestlers compete on the second day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival held in Sarayici near Edirne, Turkey on July 06, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )Orhan Akkanat
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: A young wrestler is seen ahead of competing on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Hakan Mehmet Şahin - Anadolu Agency )Hakan Mehmet Şahin
658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival: Final
EDIRNE, TURKEY - JULY 07: Wrestler Ali Gurbuz and his rival Orhan Okulu compete during the final competition on the last day of the 658th annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey on July 07, 2019. Ali Gurbuz won the chief wrestler title after winning against his rival. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, is one of the world’s oldest sports events and has been held annually in the province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental struggle without the use of any equipment.
( Cihan Demirci - Anadolu Agency )Cihan Demirci
