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Legend says that Turks are the greatest wrestlers
that every lived and back in the 14th century a group of Turks were
marching off to battle. Their leader, the son of the second Ottoman
Sultan, would let his men practice at rest stops. At one of these
rest stops two men wrestled so long that they both died from
exhaustion. So you think you're a big wrestling fan? Well then come
to Kirkpinar, Turkey near the end of June/ early July for the
Kirkpinar Traditional Wrestling Festival where Turks from 4 years
old and up, get all oiled up and do battle down in the dirt.
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Historical "Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling" is the oldest
wrestling festival in the world which has been continuing since the
first contests in 1357 in Rumelia.
"Kirkpinar Oil Wresting", which has been bounded with a tradition of
almost 650 years, hosts persevering contests for a week, with the
active participation of media, folk-dance groups, millions of
spectators, artists and statesmen both from Turkey and all over the
world, and with a varying array of activities every year.
The enthusiasm, which is brought to life by headwrestling and other
forms of wrestling contests, as well as the performances of the
"Janissary Band" and local and foreign folk-dance groups throughout
the contests, turns "Kirkpinar Oil Wresting" into a traditional
festival.
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