Erkan Tas Shatters Legends to Claim Historic 665th Kirkpinar Crown
A New Era in Oil Wrestling: Erkan Tas Shatters Legends to Claim Kirkpinar Crown
EDIRNE, TURKEY – The historic Sarayici wrestling grounds (Grand Field) bore witness to a monumental passing of the torch during the 665th edition of the Traditional Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championship. In a tournament defined by grit, tactical brilliance, and a changing of the guard, 26-year-old Erkan Tas delivered a masterclass performance to capture his first-ever Chief Pehlivan (Başpehlivan) title and the coveted golden belt.
Representing the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality ASAT Sports Club, the young wrestler, affectionately known by fans as “Demir Leblebi” (The Iron Nut), tore through a bracket packed with living legends. His journey to the podium will go down in sports history as one of the most grueling and well-deserved title runs ever witnessed in Edirne.
The Quarter-Final Clash: Sinking a Golden Dream
The defining moment of the entire tournament unfolded during a highly anticipated quarter-final matchup. All eyes were on Ali Gurbuz, a four-time Kirkpinar champion who entered the grassy field with destiny on his side. A victory this year would have granted Gurbuz his fourth title and the ultimate prize in the sport: the eternal ownership of the golden belt.
The showdown lived up to the hype, turning into a war of attrition under a punishing 45°C summer heat. Gurbuz used his height advantage to neutralize Tas’s initial attacks, driving the match past the standard 30-minute regular time. As the bout entered the sudden-death score point phase, fatigue began to set in, forcing both men to take massive risks. At the 50-minute mark, Tas executed a flawless, lightning-fast cangal (hook) move, bringing the giant champion to the grass. Tas quickly secured the back position to claim the winning point, abruptly ending Gurbuz’s lifelong dream of permanent belt ownership.
A Brutal Road to the Finals
Tas’s championship run was far from a one-hit wonder. To even reach the final stage, he had to clear a literal gauntlet of the sport’s elite, proving his mettle in every single round:
- Round 2: Eliminated fan-favorite and former champion Ismail Balaban.
- Round 3: Outlasted the highly experienced veteran Mehmet Yesil Yesil.
- Quarter-Finals: Shattered Ali Gurbuz’s historic quest for the permanent golden belt.
- Semi-Finals: Defeated the tournament’s dark horse, Seckin Duman, to book his first-final appearance.
A 49-Minute Chess Match on Grass
The final matched Tas against national wrestler Feyzullah Akturk, who was making his second consecutive appearance in a Kirkpinar final after sidelining Mustafa Tas in his semi-final bout. Standing before a packed stadium of roaring wrestling enthusiasts, both competitors adopted a highly cautious, defensive posture, resulting in a scoreless tie at the end of the regulation 30 minutes.
As the match pushed deep into extra time, Akturk increased the pressure, launching aggressive leg dives at the 35th, 41st, and 45th minutes. Tas, however, showcased ironclad defense and remarkable composure. The climax came in the 49th minute when Akturk made a decisive dive to take Tas down. Anticipating the move, Tas countered with incredible reflexes, spun around his opponent, and pressed him to the ground. The crowd erupted as the referee signaled the final point, crowning Erkan Tas the undisputed champion of the 665th Kirkpinar.
“We Will Come Back for the Permanent Belt”
Overwhelmed with emotion during the medal ceremony, Tas dedicated his historic win to his coach, Mustafa Tas, his training camp, and his family. “Wrestling is in our blood, passed down from father to son. Thank God, the golden belt is ours today,” Tas stated during his post-match interview. Looking ahead, the newly crowned champion made his long-term ambitions crystal clear: “Our next goal is set. From now on, we step onto this field to win the permanent golden belt three times in a row.”