By Kaia Costa and Penelope Nunes
In the United States, we have football; in Nepal, they have volleyball; and in Chile, they have Chilean Rodeo! But in Turkey, they may have one of the most fascinating national sports: oil wrestling.
It is believed to have originated from Turkish festivals dating back to the 1300s, celebrating Ottoman victories. If the sport’s name isn’t obvious enough, two opponents face off in a wrestling match while covered in oil. The objective is for one contestant to get their opponent into a position where their belly button faces the sky.
Specifically, the participants cover themselves in olive oil. This makes typical wrestling techniques difficult, which leads each athlete to adapt to new styles. These unique and distinctive skills allow for oil wrestling to be original to Turkey.
The match takes place in an open field, typically covered with grass for comfort and safety. Athletes must wear leather pants called “Kisbet,” made from water buffalo hide, to provide a legal and manageable grip while their bodies are covered in olive oil. A typical strategy for these wrestlers is to push their opponent’s arm through the Kisbet.
In earlier days, a single match could last up to two days until one wrestler gained superiority! Today, however, the match has been reduced to 45 minutes. In the case of a tie, the match continues for an additional 15 minutes of overtime.
Although oil wrestling may sound unusual to people unfamiliar with the sport, it is an important part of Turkish culture and tradition. With its unique rules, slippery competition, and centuries of history, oil wrestling is much more than just a wrestling match. It celebrates Turkey’s history and a tradition that continues to bring people together today.
Want to see for yourself? Check it out here!