Orhan Okulu secures the gold medal in the 3rd Kırkpınar Grease Wrestling Tournament
In the historical city of Edirne, the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, a symbol of Turkish culture and tradition, took place once again on the Sarayiçi field. This year's tournament, the 664th in its uninterrupted history, drew considerable attention due to the appointment of new Ağa Ufuk Özünlü, who pledged an investment of over TL 40 million for the event.
The three-day festival, recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is more than just a sporting event. It is a celebration of valor, discipline, and national identity, where pehlivans, or wrestlers, compete in a test of strength and technique, greased with olive oil, making the contest both challenging and slippery.
This year's competition featured 826 registered wrestlers across 18 categories, with 40 competing in the top-tier Başpehlivan class. The final match, a physical contest requiring power, patience, and tradition, was between Orhan Okulu and Feyzullah Aktürk.
Okulu, a 36-year-old wrestler from Antalya, made his Kırkpınar debut in 2000 under the influence of his father. He won his first title in 2016, his second in 2019, and his third this year, but has yet to win three consecutive championships to claim the prestigious Golden Belt.
The final match was a hard-fought battle, lasting 21 minutes. Okulu sustained a cut above his left eye early in the match, but he persevered, demonstrating his endurance and dedication. However, he fell short of winning three titles in a row, a feat that would have earned him the Golden Belt.
Meanwhile, Feyzullah Aktürk, a 26-year-old wrestler from Manisa, was eliminated in the quarterfinals, ending his bid for a third consecutive title and the permanent Golden Belt.
The contest was held without traditional music out of respect for five Turkish soldiers killed in the Pençe-Kilit Operation. Despite this, the festival retained its ceremonial practices, such as the red-based candle (Kırmızı Dipli Mum) invitations and the traditional wrestler's bathhouse.
Since 2010, Kırkpınar has been a beacon of cultural continuity, with eight of the past eleven Başpehlivan champions hailing from Antalya. The festival's importance as a cultural bridge between the past and present was further highlighted by its international recognition, with events occasionally held abroad.
As the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival continues to captivate audiences, wrestlers like Orhan Okulu become symbols of endurance and dedication, embodying the spirit of tradition and national pride that has been passed down for over 660 years.
The Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, a significant event in Europe, is more than just a sports competition. It is a cultural celebration that symbolizes valor, discipline, and national identity, attracting wrestlers from across the continent. This year, the final match, a test of power, patience, and tradition, saw Orhan Okulu and Feyzullah Aktürk compete, with Okulu striving to earn the prestigious Golden Belt in the world of sports.
