Turkey’s Slippery National Sport

Turkish oil wrestlers drench themselves in olive oil before competing. This makes the athletes incredibly difficult to grip, turning a standard wrestling match into a test of strength against a greased opponent.

This ancient tradition has been practiced in Turkey for over 650 years, making it one of the oldest sports in the world. Wrestlers wear only thick leather trousers called kispet, which are soaked in oil along with their skin. Because there is so little friction, competitors have to reach inside their opponent's clothing to gain any leverage. Matches are often grueling marathons that require immense balance and skill to succeed.