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Feature: Unique way of wrestling in Turkey

Xinhua, July 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

On the last Sunday of July, temperature in western Turkish city Edirne rolled up to 36 Celsius degree. Abudl found shades under the scorching sun and was busy cheering up his bro Mustafa who was competing in the final day of the 654th Kirkpinar oil wrestling festival.

   Mustafa wearing only a leather pant with bare foot was covered by grease and sweat. The grease was from the olive oil painted on him thoroughly by the helpers, yet the sweat was from the wrestling with his opponent who also focused on lifting the guy in front of him over when there was any chance.

   Neither Mustafa nor his opponent won the coveted golden belt of this years match, but they showed their respect to the tradition and to each other.

   Orhan Okulu became champion by beating his rival Osman Aynur in the 53rd minute, yet the first thing he did was to show gratitude and respectful attitude to his rival.

   Thank for my coach who has been teaching me and helping me a lot since I chose to be a oil wrestler two years ago. I wish I can be a better wrestler as age goes on. Ufak Yanik a 19-year-old who won the youth champion of the Festival told reporter.

   Minister of Youth and Sports of Turkey Akif Cagatay Kilic also came to witness the champion road of Orhan Okulu.

   "It's a tradition here and we hope to see more Chinese tourists in the 655th festival and also wish the two countries have more cooperation on sports," Kilic told Xinhua.

   Fikret Dislioglu, the Provincial Director of the General Directorate of Press and Information office of The Prime Minister of Turkey, also sent his invitation to Chinese tourists. I wish friends from China will like our unique oil wrestling Festival here and come to watch the game in the court, Dislioglu said. 

   The annual tournament, which started Friday in Edirne province neighboring Greece, is the oldest sanctioned sporting competition in the world, held in the same province since 1362. It was enlisted to the UNESCO world intangible heritage lists in 2010.  Endi