Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Tournament

  Since the 14th century, Kirkpınar Oil Wrestling has been annually held in Edirne. They dress in nothing but kisbet (traditional cowhide trousers) and douse in olive oil, battle it out one-on-one. The last man standing walks away with the Kirkpinar Golden Belt and the title of Chief Pehlivan. Traditional tunes of drum and shawm contribute to the general medieval Middle Eastern atmosphere.It draws thousands of onlookers each year, and believes to be the longest-standing annual sporting event in the history of the world.