Top wrestlers to compete for golden sashes at Ulugazi oil wrestling event

Istanbul is set to host the 5th Ulugazi Oil Wrestling event on Saturday, August 29th, at the İBB Maltepe Orhangazi City Park. This traditional wrestling competition, originally held between 1933 and 1938 to honor Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was revived by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) in 2021.

The event promises intense competition, with 64 elite wrestlers, including nine who have previously won the coveted golden sash, vying for victory. A total of 500 wrestlers will participate across 14 different weight categories, showcasing the depth and tradition of Turkish oil wrestling.

Fans can expect to see some of the sport's most prominent names in action. Wrestlers such as Erkan Taş, Yusuf Can Zeybek, Orhan Okulu, İsmail Balaban, Recep Kara, Mehmet Yeşil Yeşil, Mustafa Taş, Fatih Atlı, and Ali Gürbüz are scheduled to compete. These athletes will battle it out in pursuit of the golden sash, a symbol of ultimate triumph in this ancient sport.

The Ulugazi Oil Wrestling is organized by the IBB Youth and Sports Services Department in collaboration with İBB Spor İstanbul. Its primary aim is to preserve and pass on the rich cultural heritage of traditional oil wrestling to future generations. The competition will span various weight classes, including Baş (Chief), Başaltı (Under-Chief), Büyük Orta (Senior Middleweight), and others, culminating in the final matches.