The tournament is named in honor of a 17th Century wrestling legend.
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Every year since 1640 Turkey’s best wrestlers – men and boys – have gathered for their national championships on a grassy field.
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About 1,000 barefoot grapplers compete, oiled up and stripped to the waist.
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The anything-goes style and the oiled leather trunks originated with the "Janissaries", an elite of body guards to the imperial Sultans.
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The new stadium is located on the Sultan’s palace, and Turkey’s president crowns the champions on the final day.
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For three days the field is crowded with simultaneous matches, ranging from high school kids to forty-year-old masters.
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The sun is hot and the fights are long.
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After a half-hour, if there is no winner, the match decided with a sudden death overtime.
Grabbing of trunks is not off limits.
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.Source: www.turkishwrestling.com
