Wrestling is known as the "Ancestral Sport of Turks". The Historical Elmalı Yeşilyayla Oil Wrestling is held in Elmalı. It is older than the historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling and is recorded as the "Turkish's First Private Square". The Elmalı Municipality holds it at the Recep Gürbüz Wrestling Field.
The event took place with the participation of tens of chief wrestlers and thousands of athletes. It takes great attention all over Turkey. Wrestling competitions have unique traditional rules and lanes such as head, deck, wrestlers who beat their opponents by displaying all their skills and are ranked are presented with various awards and medals. The winners of the lane receive medals and trophies. The wrestler who came first at the end of the races is honored with the 'Golden Belt' and carries the gold belt until the next tournament. The chief wrestler retained his title for three consecutive years. He becomes the eternal owner of the golden belt.
One week before the start of the Historical Elmalı Yeşilyayla Oil Wrestling, which is a sports organization, continues as a culture and art festival and takes place in a festive atmosphere. The movement begins in the district. As part of wrestling events, symposiums and exhibitions are organized. There are public concerts with famous artists.
Historical Elmalı Yeşilyayla Oil Wrestling strengthens the feelings of unity and solidarity of the people of Elmalı while raising a healthy and moral generation that loves sports, keeping a deep-rooted tradition alive in history and handing it down to future generations. The income from the wrestling is used for the needs of the local people and the development of the district by making a great contribution to the economy.
Historical Elmalı Yeşilyayla Oil Wrestling brings vitality to Elmalı. It offers wrestling lovers from every region of Turkey the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Elmalı. You can feel the history and culture and introduce and popularize wrestling, the ancestral sport of wrestling, to wider audiences.
