Turkey's oldest Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival has kicked off this week, marking it 660th anniversary with thousands set to compete.
Some 2,160 wrestlers are competing for the coveted Golden Belt and title of Başpehlivan (chief wrestler) in Sarayiçi, an historic site in Edirne, Turkey.
The site, once home to the Eski Sarayı (Old Palace) built by Sultan Murat II and one of his private hunting reserves, is now the site of a modern stadium to host the annual competition.
The three day competition involves wrestlers wearing leather pants held in place with rope around their waists and being covered in oil to fight and take their opponent down
Thousands of fans have descended on the city to watch wrestlers battle for the title of Chief Wrestler, with the final match to crown the winner set for today (July 11).
The three day competition involves wrestlers wearing leather pants held in place with rope around their waists.
Competitors are then covered in oil and fight to take each other down. A win requires one wrestler to put his rival's back on the ground with his belly button facing the sky.
It is believed that the competition can be traced back to the 14th century, when soldiers deployed for the conquest of Trakya, where Edirne is located, trained for their upcoming battle with oil wrestling.
Wrestlers are covered in oil before they step onto the grass in the stadium to compete
Wrestlers compete at Sarayici during the 660 Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Turkey
A win requires one wrestler to put his rival's back on the ground with his belly facing the sky
Competitors engage in a physical and mental struggle without the use of equipment
A wrestler celebrates as his opponent lies on his back in defeat following a match
Legend has it that two brothers among
