The 664th edition of the historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival began on Friday, July 4, in the northwestern Turkish province of Edirne, with young wrestlers opening the three-day event.

The traditional competition started at Sarayici , where 36 pehlivans (wrestlers) from the Minik-1 (youngest) category tied their arms in preparation for the matches.

A total of 762 wrestlers, including 40 baspehlivans (chief wrestlers), will compete for supremacy over the weekend. This year, competitors face not only each other but also challenging weather conditions.

High humidity from the nearby Tunca River, combined with scorching temperatures, adds another layer of difficulty to the physically demanding sport.

SHOTLIST EDIRNE, TÜRKİYE (JULY 4, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF YOUNG MEN WRESTLING ON PITCH 2. VARIOUS OF YOUNG MEN WRESTLING ON PITCH AS SPECTATORS WATCH THEM EDIRNE, TÜRKİYE - JULY 4: The 664th edition of the historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival began on Friday, July 4, in the northwestern Turkish province of Edirne, with young wrestlers opening the three-day event. The traditional competition started at Sarayici , where 36 pehlivans (wrestlers) from the *Minik-1* (youngest) category tied their arms in preparation for the matches. A total of 762 wrestlers, including 40 baspehlivans (chief wrestlers), will compete for supremacy over the weekend. This year, competitors face not only each other but also challenging weather conditions. High humidity from the nearby Tunca River, combined with scorching temperatures, adds another layer of difficulty to the physically demanding sport. With Edirne experiencing intense summer heat, wrestlers—already coated in olive oil—will feel the effects even more due to their exertion and the arena’s open-air setting. Meteorologists predict highs of 36°C (97°F) on Friday, rising to 38°C (100°F) on Saturday during the baspehlivan finals, and 37°C (99°F) on Sunday. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Kirkpinar festival traces its origins to the 14th century in Rumeli, a Balkan region under the early Ottoman Empire. Recognized as one of the world’s oldest wrestling festivals, it features competitors drenched in olive oil, wearing traditional leather pants (kispet) tied with ropes. The festival, a UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage event, attracts thousands of spectators each year, celebrating strength, endurance, and Turkish sporting tradition. The finals for the prestigious başpehlivan title will take place on Saturday, with the winner earning the coveted altın kemer (golden belt). Writing by Sibel Uygun