President Bozbey: ‘We will organize oil wrestling tournaments similar to Kırkpınar’

In the ‘Historical Çalı Oil Wrestling’ organized for the 62nd time this year by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and Nilüfer Municipality, approximately 800 wrestlers fiercely competed in the arena. After intense matches, Enes Doğan, who defeated Mustafa Taş in the final, succeeded in becoming the 62nd Historical Çalı Oil Wrestling Champion. Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, aiming for Bursa to become a city brand in sports as well, continues to support the preservation of ancestral sports. The 62nd Historical Çalı Oil Wrestling, hosted by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and Nilüfer Municipality, brought together thousands of oil wrestling enthusiasts. Approximately 800 wrestlers wearing kıspet entered the arena and after the draw, competitive matches in different weight classes took place. Around 40 chief wrestlers, including İsmail Balaban, Orhan Okulu, and Mehmet Yeşil Yeşil, also competed in Çalı. The matches were attended by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, former Minister of National Defense Turhan Tayan, Nilüfer Municipality Mayor Şadi Özdemir, Kırkpınar agha Seyfettin Selim, oil wrestling aghas, village headmen, members of civil society organizations, political party representatives, and wrestling enthusiasts. During the ongoing matches, the aghaship auction was held, and the current Çalı Oil Wrestling Agha Hakan Söğünmez won with 2 million 216 thousand TL. ‘We will create a second Kırkpınar’ Expressing his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the development and continuity of our ancestral sport of oil wrestling, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that raising the bar of Çalı wrestling, which was held for the 62nd time this year, higher every year is not easy. Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that this year’s Çalı Wrestling was organized in collaboration with Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and Nilüfer Municipality, saying, ‘Hopefully, in the coming years, we will increase the quality of Çalı wrestling both quantitatively and qualitatively. We know the deficiencies here and what needs to be done. In the future, we will create a second Kırkpınar for Çalı wrestling. Our goal is ambitious. Of course, Kırkpınar is a different field, but we want to make it equivalent to wrestling such as Elmalı and Kurtdereli. We can become the second or third place in oil wrestling in Turkey. We know that the history of the 62nd Çalı wrestling goes back further. We must support our ancestral sport. I thank all the wrestlers who participated. Their dedicated matches will increase interest in wrestling in Bursa. Bursa will also be one of the exemplary cities in this regard. It is our responsibility to make wrestling enthusiasts smile.’ Nilüfer Municipality Mayor Şadi Özdemir stated that more than 30 chief wrestlers from all over Turkey and over 800 wrestlers in total participated in the 62nd Traditional Historical Çalı Oil Wrestling. Özdemir, who described the wrestling matches as a great spectacle, said, ‘Çalı wrestling has become a tradition in this region. It is the most important organization after Kırkpınar wrestling. Preparation organization for Kırkpınar wrestling. This time we did it with the support of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. We will continue to do it every year.’ Çalı Oil Wrestling Agha Hakan Söğünmez stated that they are always by the side of wrestling, an ancestral sport, and will continue to support it. In the semi-final of the 62nd Çalı Oil Wrestling Championship, Y. Emre Yaman faced Mustafa Taş, and Enes Doğan faced Ali Yanatma. At the end of the fierce competitions, Mustafa Taş and Enes Doğan succeeded in reaching the final. While the final wrestling match kept the audience on the edge of their seats, Enes Doğan, the winner of the match, became the Champion of the 62nd Çalı Oil Wrestling. At the end of the tournament, the athletes who ranked in all weight classes received their medals and cups from the protocol members.