Turkish men slip and slide at the Ulugazi Oil Wrestling Festival in Istanbul - in pictures

Oil wrestlers, known as pehlivan in Turkish, in action during the traditional Ulugazi Oil Wrestling Festival in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
Oil wrestlers, known as pehlivan in Turkish, in action during the traditional Ulugazi Oil Wrestling Festival in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
The festival organised by the Istanbul Municipality took place for the first time since 1938. EPA
The festival organised by the Istanbul Municipality took place for the first time since 1938. EPA
The event used to be held in memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the first years of the Turkish Republic. EPA
The event used to be held in memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the first years of the Turkish Republic. EPA
Competitors clad in leather trousers, known as “’kispet”, and covered in olive oil battle for honours at the festival. EPA
Competitors clad in leather trousers, known as “’kispet”, and covered in olive oil battle for honours at the festival. EPA
Oil wrestling, one of the most popular sports in Turkey, dates back centuries. EPA
Oil wrestling, one of the most popular sports in Turkey, dates back centuries. EPA
In recent years matches have been generally limited to 45 minutes. In the past, fights could go on for days. EPA
In recent years matches have been generally limited to 45 minutes. In the past, fights could go on for days. EPA