ID :
123249
Thu, 05/20/2010 - 20:31
Auther :

SUMOISTS TO PERFORM SHOWS AT HISTORIC WRESTLING TOURNAMENT IN TURKEY

EDIRNE (A.A) - 20.05.2010 - Sumoists from Japan will perform shows during a historic wrestling tournament in northwestern Turkey, governor said on Thursday.
Governor Mustafa Buyuk of the northwestern province of Edirne said that sumoists from Japan would make shows during the 649th Historical Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Tournament. 
"Five sumoists and five-member technical team have made preparations to come to Edirne for the tournament," Buyuk told AA correspondent.
Buyuk said sumoists would wrestle among themselves, not with Turkish wrestlers.
Japanese documentary channels would also visit Edirne together with sumoists, which would contribute to promotion of their city, Buyuk also said. 
The tournament will take place between June 21 and 27.
A Turkish national sport, oil wrestling, is named this way as wrestlers douse themselves with olive oil.
The wrestlers, known as pehlivan (meaning "hero" or "champion") wear a type of hand-stitched lederhosen (leather trousers) called kisbet (sometimes kispet), which were traditionally made of water buffalo hide, but now also of calfskin.
The annual Kirkpinar tournament, held since 1362, is the oldest continuously running, sanctioned sporting competition in the world.

X