05.07.2026 16:10
In Edirne, at the 665th Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, the traditional agha ram auction was held. Ufuk Özünlü, who won the aghalık for two consecutive years, bid 46 million 666 thousand 666 lira and became the Agha of the 666th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival. Since Özünlü won the aghalık auction three times in a row, he became the permanent owner of the aghalık golden belt.
At the Sarayiçi Er Meydanı in Edirne, where the 665th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival is held, the traditional agha stewardship ram auction took place. Only Ufuk Özünlü, the agha of the 664th and 665th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festivals, participated in the auction. Former Fenerbahçe President and Vice Chairman of Koç Holding Board, Ali Koç, also took his seat in the stands to watch the auction.
"MAY GOD BLESS HIM 41 TIMES"
Speaking before the auction began, Edirne Mayor Filiz Gencan said, "We are conducting the agha stewardship auction, one of the most prestigious titles of our Kırkpınar festival. Greetings to all the aghas who have served until today; we are glad they exist. It was the second year of our agha, and we thank him for his services to Kırkpınar. Kırkpınar means gallantry. I say 'may God bless him 41 times.'"
FINAL BID SET AT 46 MILLION 666 THOUSAND 666 LIRA
After the speech, Gencan opened the 665th Kırkpınar Agha Ram Auction at 41 million lira. The agha candidate Ufuk Özünlü then took the floor and announced the figure he had in mind. Özünlü said, "When I first became agha two years ago, I said here that I was acting as agha on behalf of my father; I said I took it in my father's name. God has granted today, and my father is here now; I kiss his hands. I thank him for the legacy he left me. I thank everyone who supported me. I bid 46 million 666 thousand 666 lira."
TOURED THE SARAYİÇİ ER MEYDANI
Having won the agha ram auction and thus earning the right to become the permanent owner of the agha golden belt, Özünlü, together with Ali Koç and the accompanying people, took a tour around the Sarayiçi Er Meydanı.
MINISTER BAK AT THE ER MEYDANI
At the Kırkpınar Er Meydanı, the great Turkish flag was also unfurled. The Turkish flag, carried by wrestling referees and cazgır (announcers), was paraded around the field. Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, who arrived at the Er Meydanı, saluted the Turkish flag while holding their own Turkish flags.