Kırköy hosts third traditional oil wrestling festival in Western Thrace
Organized jointly by the İskeçe Ova Culture, Solidarity and Brotherhood Association and the Kırköy Sports Association, the festival aims to preserve and promote the centuries-old Turkish oil wrestling tradition while passing it on to future generations.
The event will feature prominent wrestlers and chief champions from Türkiye, North Macedonia, Serres, Gümülcine, and the local communities of the İskeçe Ova region. The competitions are scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM, with athletes competing in the traditional “er meydanı” wrestling arena.
The festival has become one of the most significant events promoting traditional sports and cultural heritage in Western Thrace in recent years.
Renowned wrestlers to compete in Kırköy
Several major figures from Turkish oil wrestling and wrestling history will participate in this year’s festival, including:
- Recep Kara, four-time Kırkpınar Chief Champion
- Serhat Balcı, third-place finisher at the 2018 Kırkpınar Wrestling Festival
- Abdullah Güngör, third-place finisher at the 2014 Kırkpınar Wrestling Festival
- Salih Erinç, two-time Kırkpınar quarter-finalist
- Cenk İldem, European and World champion in freestyle wrestling
- Fatih Çakıroğlu, European champion
Supported by the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional Authority and İnhanlı (Topiros) Municipality, the festival also serves as an important cultural gathering that brings together the local community.
Oil wrestling holds a significant place among the cultural traditions of the Turkish community in Western Thrace. Organizers expect hundreds of wrestling fans to attend the event at Kırköy Football Field and have invited residents of Western Thrace and wrestling enthusiasts to join the third Ova Oil Wrestling Festival on August 10 at 2:00 PM.
