Turkey: Oil wrestling fans remember legends

By Ali Murat Alhas

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) – As wrestlers battle for glory at the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in northwestern Turkey, passionate fans of all ages are seizing the opportunity to pay tribute to the sport’s legends.

Wrestlers are competing for the honor of winning the golden belt at the festival -- one of the world's oldest sporting events, which has been held annually in the Edirne province since 1362 and is on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

As with any sport, certain wrestlers in the history of Kirkpinar have been singled out for their incredible success stories, record-breaking performances, passion, and love for this Turkish tradition which has thrived for centuries.

In fact, renowned wrestlers or figures linked to the festival are like local celebrities. Fans ask to take photos with them and for their autographs.

Ahmet Tasci, considered one of the best oil wrestlers since the foundation of the Turkish Republic, has won the Kirkpinar tournament eight times. He dominated the competition for a full decade, from 1990 to 2000.

“For oil wrestlers, Kirkpinar is like a dream,” Tasci told Anadolu Agency, adding that his dream came true only after years of hard mental and physical training.

“Being rewarded for [my] hard work was more than satisfactory,” he said.

According to Tasci, the Kirkpinar tournament is the “Olympics of wrestling events,” so beating a single wrestler at this event is more significant than being champion elsewhere.

Tasci said there is no shortcut to success in oil wrestling, just like any other sport, and his life revolved around wrestling day and night. He criticized today’s wrestlers for shirking their professional responsibilities, saying he had never neglected these in order to reach the apex of the sport.

“I lived for wrestling and so earned championships,” said Tasci, who started his wrestling career at age 25.

Musa Aktas, 63, a loyal wrestling fan, said Tasci was the most skillful wrestler he had ever watched live.

“He wasn't just powerful but also really smart. He could outsmart bigger oil wrestlers. His moves were like a hot knife going through butter; he would make it look so easy.”

Tasci was a true professional who would always focus on his work, he added.

“We've had some really good wrestlers, but Tasci would take his job seriously and live accordingly,” he said.

- ‘Terrible Turk’

Koca Yusuf, or Yusuf the Great, born in 1857, a legendary oil wrestler in the history of the Kirkpinar festival, was famed for his massive size and brute strength.

In a classic Kirkpinar match, he battled another legend, Alico the Bald, to a draw. It was an epic event, as before that day Kel Alico had won every single wrestling match he had ever competed in during his 27-year career.

In the late 19th century, Yusuf was invited to France by Joseph Doublier, a wrestler who had recently been defeated by his rival, a man named Sabes. Motivated by his defeat, Doublier brought Yusuf the Great to face Sabes. The Turkish wrestler won the match in a matter of seconds.

Yusuf’s popularity grew over time in France, and then he was invited to come to the U.S., where he was given the nickname “the Terrible Turk” for his brute power in the arena.

Yusuf defeated Evan "The Strangler" Lewis in the American Heavyweight Championship in Chicago and his fame grew and grew. However, his storybook-like life came to an end on July 4, 1898, in a dramatic way.

Returning to France on the ocean liner SS La Bourgogne, the vessel sank after colliding in dense fog with a British ship, claiming the life of Yusuf the Great along with over 500 other passengers.

To this day French still has the phrase "as strong as a Turk," which is believed to refer to Yusuf's outstanding performance in the country’s wrestling arenas.

Serkan Balci, a 16-year old competing in Kirkpinar this year, told Anadolu Agency that the legend of Yusuf the Great still resonates with the wrestling community and he still serves as a role model for many young people.

“When I heard that he conquered the hearts of foreigners with his skills, I asked myself if I could do as well as he did. This is one of my motivations for being here,” he said.

- Alico the Bald

Born in 1844, Kel Alico, also known as Alico the Bald, was the most dominant figure in the history of the Kirkpinar festival, winning the top title fully 27 consecutive times. He was a fierce wrestler, notorious for his cruelty and persistence in matches.

His fame grew so much over time that he became the chief wrestler of the Ottoman palace, and even faced off against Abdulaziz, an Ottoman sultan.

In traditional Turkish oil wrestling, Kel Alico is remembered as the “master of the masters.”

After dominating Kirkpinar for 27 years, Alico the Bald wrestled Yusuf the Great for hours and hours, and the classic match ended with Alico finishing his career.

In his book Historic Turkish Wrestlers, author Esref Serik says Alico announced Yusuf as the winner of the event and had no regrets, as Yusuf was worthy of being Kirkpinar’s top wrestler.

Suleyman Kudret, a 69-year-old oil wrestling enthusiast, hailed Alico the Bald as a legend.

“I seriously doubt that the new generation can break his record,” he added.

Emphasizing that Alico's legend was passed down from generation to generation in Edirne, he said: “His name will never be forgotten. Like our other legends, it takes more than physical power to do what he did. There will always be only one Alico.”

- Adali Halil

Born in 1866, Adali Halil learned wrestling at the hands of Alico the Bald, the “master of masters.” But this master-apprentice relationship did not form easily. Alico accepted his apprenticeship only after wrestling with Adali for five hours, a suitable feat to impress Alico with his skills.

Halil became the chief wrestler of Kirkpinar, winning the competition a grand total of 18 times. He was a giant, towering nearly two meters (7 feet) tall and weighing 150 kilograms (330 pounds).

Also known as the "Sultan's Lion," Halil went on an international winning spree in Paris, Vienna, and Chicago.

In one of his competitions, he faced Tom Jenkins, a famous wrestler in the U.S. During the match, Halil broke Jenkins' ribs while squeezing him, which is part of the game.

- Mehmet the World Champion

Kurtdereli Mehmet is another legend remembered at the Kirkpinar festival. Born in 1872, Mehmet became the chief wrestler of Kirkpinar in 1899 after besting Adali Halil.

He was awarded medals for his excellence at wrestling by Ottoman Sultans Abdulhamit II and Mehmet Resat.

In 1891, despite taking ill, he did not withdraw from matches against British, Danish, and Hungarian opponents in Istanbul’s Taksim district.

After his formidable performances against these foreign giants he was given the title of "World Champion." But that same year, he bowed out, quitting his wrestling career.

As a devout Muslim, following his retirement, Mehmet sent his kispet -- leather pants oil worn by wrestlers in Turkey – to be stored in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

"While wrestling, I'd feel the whole Turkish nation standing behind me and do my best to protect its honor," he once told Anadolu Agency.

Deeply moved by Mehmet’s words, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, sent him a letter praising his passion for Turkish national identity.

Today, statues of these legendary wresters can be found next to the Sarayici wrestling ground, where the Kirkpinar festival is held, inspiring wrestlers of all ages, nationalities, and faiths.

- Over 6 centuries of wrestling

Today, oil wrestling fans of Turkey mark the 658th anniversary of the Kirkpinar festival. It is not precisely known how the tradition first started, but popular belief suggests that two Turkish soldiers out of a group of 40 who conquered some castles in then-Rumelia wrestled to the death in what is now Greece’s Ammovouno region.

Following their deaths, the soldiers’ comrades buried the bodies and left the place with deep sadness. Years later, when they returned to the burial site, they saw beautiful flowing springs.

Kirkpinar is a compound word in Turkish, literally meaning “40 springs.” This name pays tribute both to the soldiers and the thriving life following their departure. Since then, Kirkpinar has become an epic battleground for wrestlers.

The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, which started Friday and lasts a week, has been held annually in the Edirne province since 1362, with wrestlers engaging in a physical and mental bouts without the use of any equipment.