Orhan Okulu wins “gold belt” in 654th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival

Orhan Okulu became the wrestling champion and won the much coveted gold belt at the historical 654th Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival in Edirne on Sunday.

New champion Orhan Okulu beat Osman Aynur, his fellow townsman and the wrestling champion of 2006, in the final at Edirne's Sarayiçi Square at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, the final day of the competition.

The match was supervised by chief referee Hüsnü Patron and assisting referees Metin Şener and Bilal Şahin.

Because of the extreme heat, the final between Okulu and Aynur almost grinded to a halt as the match ended in a tie. The "golden point" was won in extra time when Okulu beat Aynur in the 53rd minute and was presented with the "gold belt".

Minister of Health Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, Minister of Youth and Sports Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Mayor of Edirne Recep Gürkan and the President of Turkey's Wrestling Musa Aydın also attended the wrestling final.

The 654th traditional Kırkpınar oil wrestling and cultural activities festival officially began on Friday with a parade through Edirne.