03.07.2026 20:20
In the 665th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, the first round matches were held. Recep Kara from Ordu, a chief wrestler with many championships, ended his career by performing his last match. Recep Kara, who hugged and congratulated his opponent Hasan Güzeller and was announced to have retired from wrestling, left the field accompanied by cheers.
In the first round of the head category of the 665th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, 8 wrestlers who defeated their opponents advanced to the next round.
FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS FACED OFF
On the first day of the organization, wrestlers ranked 4th and 5th in the head category drew their lots based on the league ranking. The pairings were as follows: Ertuğrul Dağdeviren-Onur Susuz, Recep Kara-Hasan Güzeller, Hamza Özkaradeniz-Tolga Turan, Hamza Köseoğlu-Ünal Karaman, Fatih Atlı-Süleyman Başar, İsmail Balaban-Serhat Elvan, Mustafa Batu-Ali Yanatma, and Serhat Balcı-Tanju Gemici.
RECEP KARA'S FAREWELL
The most anticipated match of the round was between Recep Kara and Hasan Güzeller. Recep Kara from Ordu, the champion wrestler of 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2016, who would become the permanent owner of the golden belt if he achieved his 5th championship, wrestled cautiously compared to his younger opponent. Due to no victory in the static match, they moved to scoring. The scoring did not provide the desired entertainment. Warnings were given by the tower referees. Hasan Güzeller, who scored points against his opponent, eliminated Recep Kara. Recep Kara, who hugged and congratulated his opponent Hasan Güzeller and was announced to have retired from wrestling, left the field amid cheers.
NAMES ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND
According to the results, Fatih Atlı, Ünal Karaman, Tolga Turan, Tanju Gemici, İsmail Balaban, Hasan Güzeller, Mustafa Batu, and Onur Susuz, who eliminated their opponents, advanced to the second round. In the second round to be held tomorrow, 32 head wrestlers will compete.