There is only one wrestling tournament in the world where contestants slather themselves with olive oil before entering the grassy ring. Called the Kirkpinar Oily Wrestling tournament, the ancient grappling fest took place on June 27 outside of the northwestern Turkish city of Edirne. This is the Turkish national sport, a competitive wrestling tournament, made more difficult by the fact that the combatants are smothered in oil. The competitors wear traditional black costumes and the event is held every year in June in a meadow just outside Edirne. Known as Kirkpinar, it literally means Forty Spring and is said to have been named after the forty Ottoman warriors who, in the 14th century, made the first crossing of the Dardenelles into Europe.
