Elmali Oil Wrestling Festival begins

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL

The 666th Elmali Oil Wrestling Festival began on Friday in the Turkish province of Antalya.

Elmali, located about 70 kilometers from the seaside town of Kas, hosts the oil wrestling tournament every year for three days.

More than 1,600 wrestlers including 78 chief wrestlers are participating in the festival.

The festival dates back to the Ottoman era and is one of the world's oldest sporting events.

Wrestlers wear leather pants, rub olive oil on their bodies, and tackle each other on grass fields.