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All About Turkish Oil Wrestling

7 min read
Published: 18 Feb 2023

Turkish sports tradition is a long-standing part of the culture in Turkey. While football, basketball, and volleyball enjoy widespread popularity, oil wrestling and archery are two of Turkey's most traditional sports. Oil wrestling is an old sport that Turkish men have done for hundreds of years. The participants are covered in oil and compete to gain control of their opponents' arms for three minutes. The goal is to pin the other man’s shoulder to the ground. It's a challenging sport physically, but it brings people together in a spirit of friendly competition. The Turkish archery tradition is as deep-rooted as that of wrestling. The use of bows and arrows to shoot at targets from a range of distances is a significant challenge, as is the reliance on pinpoint accuracy for victory. As a spectator sport, archery can be very exciting when performed with skill and accuracy. Traditional sports like oil wrestling and archery are still practiced widely in modern Turkey. They bring people together through friendly competition and cultural celebrations.

What Is Turkish Oil Wrestling?

Turkish oil wrestling (called "Yaali Guresh" in Turkish) is an ancient sport that has been around for centuries. Its roots are deeply embedded in the culture of the country, and it's a tradition that continues to this day. It's a unique form of combat with two men wearing only leather trousers, called "kispet". The wrestlers are most likely covered in olive oil or another type of vegetable oil from head to toe. They wrestle until one of them is pinned to the ground with one hand or leg. It is a very competitive sport where skill and technique are just as important as strength and quick reflexes.


The point of Turkish oil wrestling is simply to demonstrate courage, strength, and masculinity. Though it is usually men who take part in this particular tradition, some origins say women do also participate in some areas. This type of traditional wrestling is thought to be an important part of Turkish culture that celebrates bravery and honor among its people.

What Is the Purpose of Turkish Oil Wrestling?

Oil wrestling is more than just an entertaining sport to watch; it also serves as a symbol of masculinity, strength, and honor in Turkish culture. Each summer, there is a national tournament called the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, which attracts thousands of people from all over the country. The tournament lasts several days, and the winners are given awards and honored with great respect. It is believed that by participating in the tournament, Turkish men are honoring their ancestors, who have done this for generations before them. Many men compete in tournaments all over the country in the hopes of getting high honors if they win. From its symbolism of masculinity and strength to its spiritual connection with honoring ancestors – this traditional sport will surely remain popular for many more years down the line.

Rules and Weight

Turkish oil wrestling has different rules and weight classes depending on where you are, but the basic idea is the same: two wrestlers fight each other to try to put their opponent's shoulder on the ground or make them give up.


At a Turkish oil wrestling event, each wrestler will be greased up with oil from head to toe. This makes it harder for wrestlers to grip each other, adding another layer of challenge and difficulty to the sport. Wrestlers compete in light and heavyweight divisions; a wrestler has to be at least 18 years old and weigh 55 kilograms (121 pounds) or more for the light division, while those weighing between 85 kilograms (187 pounds) and 110 kilograms (243 pounds) are eligible for the heavyweight division.


Turkish oil wrestling rules differ slightly depending on the region. Usually, they involve standing wrestling, wrestling on the ground, and body throws, which can cause the opponent to fall or pin him down until the wrestler gives up. The match is won by the first wrestler who pins his opponent's shoulders to the ground for three seconds and gets three points. Special techniques such as leg sweeps, arm throws, shoulder throws, and neck holds may be used during the match as well.


Turkish men oil wrestling has become more widely recognized by people outside Turkey since it was included as a demonstration event at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece.

How to Win

By pinning or otherwise pushing your opponent's shoulder down, you win a match of Turkish oil wrestling. It’s also possible to win a match by outlasting your opponent; if no one surrenders within an hour, then judges will decide who should be declared the victor. Turkish oil wrestling is considered a great test of strength and endurance, and wrestlers often train for months before competing in tournaments or matches. It’s also seen as an important part of traditional Turkish culture and even has its own national holiday, where tournaments are held throughout Turkey on June 15th each year.


So how do you win the Turkish oil wrestling match? Here are some tips that will help you succeed in this sport:


  1. Get to know your opponent. Before getting into the ring, it is important to spend some time studying your opponent's style and strategies. This will give you an edge over your competition and let you know what to expect when it comes to the actual wrestling match.


  1. Have strong arms. Arm strength is essential if you want to win at Turkish oil wrestling, as it takes a lot of power and strength to control your opponent. Exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, bench presses, and bicep curls can help improve both your arm strength and stamina.


  1. Develop a plan. A good strategy is key when it comes to winning in Turkish oil wrestling. Come up with a plan on how you’ll take down your opponent and stick with it throughout the match. This can be done by studying different tactics used by other wrestlers or by creating a plan based on your own abilities and strengths.


  1. Stay focused. It can be easy to get distracted during an oil wrestling match, so try to stay focused throughout the entire match in order to get an advantage over your opponent. Also, be sure to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground at all times, as this will give you better control over your movements while also preventing injuries.


  1. Practice, practice, practice! - If you want to be successful at Turkish oil wrestling, you must practice with someone who has experience with the sport or hire a professional coach who can teach you proper technique and strategy for success in this intense sport!


With these tips in mind, there’s no doubt that anyone can become a master at Turkish oil wrestling!

What Kind of Oil Is Used in Turkish Oil Wrestling?

The oil used in Turkish oil wrestling comes from olives that grow in the area and should have no additives or preservatives. The oil makes the wrestlers slippery, making it harder for opponents to gain a hold while also providing an extra layer of protection against injury.

Why Do Turkish Oil Wrestlers Reach Down Pants?

The rules require that wrestlers wear tight-fitting leather pants, which they can reach down in order to gain a better grip on their opponent. This is why Turkish oil wrestlers traditionally reach down their pants during a match. It gives them a better grip on their opponent and gives them a strategic edge.


Turkish oil wrestlers do more than just reach down their pants. They also throw themselves to the ground or move their arms quickly to surprise and throw off their opponents. All of these tactics help them gain a tactical upper hand during the match.


From its ancient roots, Turkish oil wrestling has become a modern sport with leagues and coaches. It is popular among both men and women in Turkey, although its popularity has decreased in recent years due to cultural changes.


Even though it isn't as popular as it used to be, Turkish oil wrestling is still a big part of the culture and history of Turkey. Many Turks around the world still celebrate it because it reminds them of how strong and brave their ancestors were when they fought fiercely for pride and honor on the battlefield.

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