Sports

Cirit

Cirit (javelin game) is part of the nomadic cavalry tradition designed to ready men and horses for battle. It became a sport in the 16th century under the Ottomans. In present-day Turkey, it has evolved into a game played between two teams of seven to ten men on horseback. Each man carries a wooden javelin, usually made of poplar wood to avoid serious injury. The opposing teams line up facing each other across a distance of about 128 m (140 yds). The mock combat begins when one rider gallops across to the other side and throws his javelin down in front of one of the players. He then flees back to his own side with the rider he challenged in hot pursuit. That player needs to hit the challenger with his javelin before he crosses the safety line.

In quick succession, each team member executes a series of similar passes, each lasting a matter of mere seconds. A hit counts for six points, while forcing an opponent’s horse to deviate from the shortest retreat route is worth three. Falling garners a three-point penalty, while striking an opponent’s horse instead of the rider results in disqualification from the game. Experienced players are able to avoid being hit by bending low, hanging off one side of the horse as it gallops back, or utilizing a number of maneuvers akin to Cossack vaulting. Bonus points are awarded to those who manage to catch the javelin rather than being struck by it. The game is refereed by former players who have retired.

Oil Wrestling

Oil wrestling (Yagli Gures) is a popular sport. Contestants are clad in tight trousers (kispet) that are made from animal skin and weigh 13 kg (28 lbs). In preparation for competition, wrestlers slather their bodies with olive oil. Before 1975, matches had no time limit. Now, there is a 40 minute time limit for each match. In contrast to other forms of wrestling, the match can be won by one wrestler securing hold of his opponent’s kispet.

While oil wrestling is a national sport, the most famous tournament takes place annually in Edirne. It is said to be the oldest competition in the world, after the Olympics. The winner takes home a cash prize as well as lucrative product endorsement opportunities. To explain the roots of Turkish exuberance for oil wrestling, some point to the legendary wrestler (pehlivan) named Rostam, who repeatedly vanquished evil forces in 1065 B.C.E. Others credit Ottoman warriors who began wrestling to break the monotony of the long trek while en route to the conquest of the Dardanelles. The competition winnowed a group of forty strong down to only two. Neither was willing to yield so they continued to wrestle long into the night until finally, in the early hours of morning, they both succumbed to exhaustion and died.