What is the traditional Turkish form of wrestling called?

Yağlı Güreş is the traditional Turkish form of wrestling that dates back to the 14th century. It is also known as oil wrestling, due to the application of olive oil to the wrestlers' bodies before the match. The purpose of the oil is to prevent the wrestlers from getting a grip on each other's bodies, thus making the match more difficult and exciting.

The objective of Yağlı Güreş is to take down your opponent by forcing him to the ground with his back facing the ground. The matches have no time limit and can last from a few minutes to several hours. In addition to the physical strength and skill required to win, strategy and psychological tactics are also important components of the sport.

Yağlı Güreş has become an important part of Turkish culture and is celebrated with an annual tournament called Kırkpınar. The tournament, which takes place in Edirne, is the oldest continuing sports event in the world, dating back to 1362. The winner of the tournament is crowned Başpehlivan (head wrestler) and is considered a national hero.