16 wrestlers qualified to strive in Kirkpinar finals

EDIRNE, Turkey

The second day of Turkey’s ancient Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling festival witnessed some fierce battles, between the country’s top oil wrestlers. At least 16 competitors won the preliminary games to qualify for the finals, to fight for the ultimate glory of being declared the chief wrestler on Sunday.

Held annually in the northwestern Edirne province, bordering Greek and Bulgaria, the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival is one of the world’s oldest sports events. Since 1362, wrestlers converge in Edirne to fight for the title. The game involves physical and mental struggle, without using any equipment.

A total of 2,380 oil wrestlers had registered to the ancient event. But ultimately there will be only one winner on Sunday.

On Saturday, Ali Gurbuz, was the first to qualify to the final round. He had won titles in 2011 and 2012. Another winner of 2014 title, Fatih Atli, faced a strong underdog, Furkan Durmus. The match could not be concluded within normal time. But Atli managed to beat his opponent and won the right to be part in the finals.

In another match Ismail Balaban used his experience and high tempo to win the game against Nedim Gurel, earning a slot to play finals on Sunday. The match continued for 50 minutes. Balaban had won titles in 2013 and 2017.

The ancient competition also became the battleground of two fellow townsmen, Mehmet Yesil Yesil and Osman Aynur. The game was not concluded within an hour. However, Yesil successfully qualified for the final game. He had earlier won titles in 2009 and 2010.

There will be a total of 16 oil wrestlers battling for the championship on Sunday. They are: Unal Karaman, Ismail Koc, Huseyin Gumusalan, Ali Gurbuz, Saban Yilmaz, Hamza Koseoglu, Fatih Atli, Faruk Akkoyun, Kursat Sevki Korkmaz, Ismail Balaban, Mehmet Yesil Yesil, Huseyin Eyican, Mustafa Kemal Karaboga, Mustafa Batu, Suleyman Aykiri, and last champion Orhan Okulu.