Fresh off claiming the coveted Golden Belt at the 665th Historic Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championships, Erkan Taş returned to a jubilant homecoming in Durağan, where residents celebrated the hometown hero and fellow wrestling standouts for bringing national pride to Sinop.
Taş, who captured the title of başpehlivan (chief wrestler), was welcomed alongside third-place finisher Mustafa Taş, başaltı wrestler Yusuf Islam Taş and newly elected Kırkpınar Agha Ufuk Özünlü. The group was greeted at the entrance to the district with traditional drums and woodwinds before making a festive procession through cheering crowds to the municipal square.
Speaking during the ceremony, AK Party Sinop lawmaker Nazım Maviş said the success achieved at Türkiye's most prestigious traditional wrestling tournament was a source of pride not only for Durağan but for the entire province.
He congratulated the wrestlers, coaches and everyone who contributed to their achievements, saying their performances had brought honor to Sinop on one of the country's biggest sporting stages.
Durağan Mayor Necmettin Ermiş said the wrestlers' accomplishments extended far beyond sporting success, describing them as powerful role models for young people throughout the district.
