Türkiye's centuries-old tradition of oil wrestling returns Friday as the 665th Historic Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival gets underway in Edirne, where 840 wrestlers, including 40 elite head wrestlers, will compete for the sport's most prestigious title and a chance to make history.
The three-day festival at Sarayiçi Er Meydanı opens with youth divisions taking to the grass before attention gradually shifts to the highly anticipated chief wrestling competition, which begins Saturday and concludes with Sunday's championship bout.
Wrestlers will compete across 14 weight and age divisions, ranging from youth categories to the coveted head wrestler championship, preserving one of Türkiye's oldest sporting traditions while showcasing the next generation of competitors.
Cultural ceremonies open the festival
Beyond the wrestling, Friday's schedule features the ceremonial traditions that have defined Kırkpınar for centuries.
