TURKEY: Oil Wrestling in Kirkpinar
Historical "Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling" is the world's oldest sporting event after the Olympics, which has been continuing since the first contests in 1357 in Rumelia. Dozens of men rub themselves with olive oil and fight over a period of three days till one big winner is established. Before each bout, the wrestlers pour olive oil over their entire bodies, and the matches take place in an open, grassy field, with the contestants naked except for trousers made of leather, which extend to just below the knee. Victory is achieved when one wrestler either pins the other to the ground (as in many other forms of wrestling) or lifts his opponent above his shoulders.