The Rules of Turkish Oil Wrestling - EXPLAINED!

Ninh explains - The Rules of Turkish Oil Wrestling. This rather strange looking sport is the national sport of Turkey (known as Yağlı Güreş) and is home to the world’s oldest sporting event: the Kirkpinar which has been contested since 1346.
Watch this short beginner’s tutorial video guide on how Oil Wrestling is played, Turkish Oil Wrestling rules, and how to wrestle in Turkey.
Learn about Yağlı Güreş, Peşrev, kisbet, Kırkpınar, Çazgır, pehlivan, Başpehlivan, throwing, pushing and more.
COMMENT, LIKE, RATE & SUBSCRIBE!!!
Also discuss on Reddit!
Video: Copyright DMAX Turkey, Kirkpinar (I do not own video footage and claim fair use).
Images: Google (Various)
Music: ‘Hücum Marşı’ by Mehter Dünyanın En Eski Askeri Bandosu
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly
Ninh Ly Website - www.ninh.co.uk
Find me on Facebook - / ninh.ly.31
Follow me on Twitter - / ninhlyuk
Google+ - plus.google.com/+NinhLyUK
Instagram - / ninhlyuk
LinkedIn - / ninh-ly-0623218b
#turkishoilwrestling #oilwrestling #wrestling #turkey #turkish #rules #sports #ninhlyuk

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, I’m back! Sorry for the long long LONG hiatus, I’ve been busy with other projects and filming for my other channel (which you should all totally check out). I’ll try and create regular content for this channel again, scheduled for uploading on Saturday evening. Other facts about Turkish Oil Wrestling: - If a wrestler beats an opponent that is older than him, it’s customary to kiss his hand as a sign of respect. - We in the west are a bit squeamish when it comes to putting our hands down another man’s pants, but Turkish men are masculine, and it’s just a normal thing to them. It doesn’t mean what you think it does! - There’s a Street Fight IV character called Hakan, who is a Turkish Oil Wrestler. This is his sport! And if you like this video on rather obscure sports, let me know in the comments section below as to what you want to see a video on next.

[@jasongarufi8187]

Ninh explains is back

[@i_am_diegoacosta127]

Thanks for coming back! Let me suggest you a strange sport for an upcoming video: “Pato”, a.k.a. horseball, it's the national sport from Argentina, but it's not as popular as it should be.

[@NinhLyUK]

@@i_am_diegoacosta127 I'll consider it!

[@leonardoturtlebutbetter8922]

OMG YOU ARE FINALLY BACK! I WAS WAITING FOR YOU FOR LITERLLY THE PAST HALF YEAR!

[@darrenpeters641]

So happy you are back!

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

After civilization collapses, this will definitely be one of the few sports on earth still remaining.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, it's definitely stood the test of time, that's for sure.

[@ems7623]

Wrestling seems to have been invented in countless civilizations completely independently ... So, yes, it would probably survive even a nuclear holocaust.

[@demontorch]

@@ems7623 yeah totally

[@ItsLilIzzzy]

@Lennon Swan lmao wtf is hurling?

[@droppinloot4960]

@@ItsLilIzzzy competitive puking

[@kristapsporzingis5837]

Aha, this is so cool. Weird, but cool.

[@NinhLyUK]

My sentiments exactly!

[@josepheffenrogan]

Welcome back to this channel Ninh! Who wouldn't love some good Turkish Oil wrestling?

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed! And thanks very much!

[@emrekucuk4005]

Hey I’m from Turkey and thank to introduce this fastinating sport to the world, it’s unic indeed and to much effort to get in front of your opponent! Strong personality and respect the opponent! I admire this sport.

[@spacetoilet]

dude it looks awesome! I’d love to visit Turkey one day and watch a match!

[@eastanduslay]

​@@spacetoiletMe too

[@PowerGohan91]

This form of wrestling reminds me a lot of sumo wresting i.e. the pre-match rituals and religious/cultural significance; matches being won in one round only, and by tripping/throwing down your opponent; the fact that losing your mawashi/kisbet will make you lose the contest; no punching/kicking allowed etc.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, the similarities are there!

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Also like in oil wrestling if you lose your sumo belt you get disqualified & the other guy wins.

[@dulguuntsg8389]

Very similar to BÖKH wrestling.

[@D3usExMachina]

I love hearing about sacred sports to countries, another fantastic video!

[@NinhLyUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AustinJASMR]

"Players must use speed to win." *Shows clip of two wrestlers in a stand still*

[@NinhLyUK]

As in - you have to wrestle quickly.

[@chaosPneumatic]

I was worrying that you had completely dropped out of making content. Glad to see you back!

[@NinhLyUK]

No no, I have been making content on my travel channel and I've just been busy. Sadly, KZbin doesn't pay me enough to do this full time ... not yet anyway. And thanks!

[@Kaizer243]

Story of Kırkpınar: According to the legend, Kırkpınar oil wrestling started with the passage of Turks to Thrace in 1361.The first to land on the opposite shore are the vanguard of the raiders. These are the elite soldiers known as "KIRKLAR".Two brothers from these soldiers, who wrestle to have fun and relax their muscles during their break, cannot finish their wrestling for a few stays. One day, while they were taking a break, their friends from the Forties, who realized that these two brothers from the Forties could not end their wrestling, went to separate them, and when they separated, they died where they were two brothers. As the forties come back after their mission is over, they go to visit the graves of their friends who died in the private square. When they arrived at the tomb, they were astonished at what they saw, a crystal water spring gushing from the tomb at the foot of the willow tree. This astonishing event turns into a legend by circulating from language to language. In memory of these two soldiers from the forties, wrestling is held every year there.

[@turcarumimperator1395]

You did not mention BUT It was a Combat Sport, Civillians were also participated in lcoal tournaments. Elite Infantry Units and Heavy Cavalry Units wrestled like this so if they lose their sword during the close combat they could keep fighting without any weapon. it was very effetive. janissaries, elite light infantry units of the ottoman army, completely destroyed heavily armored european knights in close combat thanks to their training and wrestling skills.

[@munniehasan1509]

When the world needed him the most he returns.

[@BrazilianDaftPunkFan]

Omg He returned

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed I did!

[@courthelper]

Welcome back. Excellent captivating video as always and very impressed with your Turkish pronunciation. Extra marks for that 👏🏼

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Mr Waj! Though I'm not sure my pronunciation was completely 100% accurate, I tried my best?!

[@sydneydumoit]

Glad your back Ninh!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah, me too!

[@shimnakt955]

Glad you are back...👏👏

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks.

[@ZanerG]

Awesome glad your back Ninh Ly

[@NinhLyUK]

More to come!

[@ZanerG]

@@NinhLyUK can you do Relayball or Mini Basketball next

[@AndreadiMLBitalia]

Welcome back Master❤️😍 we missed you

[@NinhLyUK]

Thank you.

[@josiahtitch7138]

Great to see you back Ninh! Love your videos! Always learning and being entertained at the same time. P.S. Do you have by the chance a video on the rules of Ball Hockey (Street Hockey)?

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Josiah! I've not actually made one about street hockey, I'll consider it though.

[@miguelangelmoraleshernande8988]

Great video as always, good to have yo back. I recently bought a book about mesoamerican sports and remember you.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Miguel. Sounds like a cool book!

[@miguelangelmoraleshernande8988]

@@NinhLyUK cool. Indeed it is.

[@i_am_diegoacosta127]

This kind of videos fulfill my weird things lover soul. Thanks Ninh for your come back 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@NinhLyUK]

Weird things ... gotta love weird things! Thanks!

[@philipchretienkarlsson8157]

Thank you so much for making the rules of this ancient and quite fascinating game to all English speaking people I instantly loved it the first time i saw a game I had always admired a good game, but was waiting to a video which would explain the rule! Tesher kül ! And many good thought to my Turkish friends.🔥

[@alexkaplan7533]

Merhaba dostum.

[@philipchretienkarlsson8157]

Mehraba !

[@diegogianoli7696]

THE KING IS BACK LETS FUCKING GO

[@AnonymousRandomDude]

Welcome back, Ninh! Could you do an explanation on the rules of jousting?

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks. And sure, why not?

[@Ma1nguy]

That was so informative, I saw pictures but never understand the objective

[@baibhavkumarpanda3491]

Yesss you're back, you're one of my favorite channels. Feel free to ask us for video recommendations for other sports, I guess you can cover all the Olympic sports and then even ancient sports that are still around ! I was searching your channel for a rowing rules video, you're my first source for rules.

[@Dr.Fluffball]

Might have to give this a go 😂🤣 great video mate keep it up 😁

[@harrystafford455]

Return of the king

[@NinhLyUK]

Thank you!

[@harrystafford455]

@@NinhLyUK ⚡️

[@criticalcounterpart]

The legend has returned

[@NinhLyUK]

For now at least!

[@bobbybrandon5048]

This looks tough!

[@sloankirk3742]

Seeing the part where the guy who forfeit was injured and other players helped him was pretty neat. Not common in other sports. Most of the time everyone has to get away from an injured player.

[@mutated__donkey5840]

OH MY GOD HES BACK THANK GOD

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed!

[@takiisop2915]

He finally is back :)

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, just about!

[@qwertyTRiG]

That was a lot more interesting than I was expecting.

[@qwertyTRiG]

(And the lad in green trousers was cute.)

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes - it's not really known in the West, so it's cool to learn about sports specific to other countries.

[@tfn212]

Hi, Ninh! Welcome back! Yeah, there are so many unique culture all around world, including martial arts. And Turkish oil wrestling is one of most unique one. I guess there are something maybe can make some people surprised, but it's reasonable for the difference of culture. This is the proof that every cultures are different and people should respect each other, especially with people who culturally different

[@NinhLyUK]

I totally agree with those points. And thanks, it's good to be back.

[@tfn212]

@@NinhLyUK No problem

[@rileykazama3145]

Now I want to try this

[@NinhLyUK]

Sure ... just grab some Oilve Oil out of the kitchen, slather yourself in it and try and put your arm down another man's pants. What's the worst that could happen?

[@DashDrones]

Going to watch this on Sunday 23rd of April in Gazipasa. Thanks for letting me know the rules and info 👍

[@isaacdacostaa]

you’re back!!!

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed!

[@JerH24]

Welcome back

[@NinhLyUK]

Thank you!

[@JerH24]

You’re welcome

[@somerandomdude3744]

I would definitely love to see the rules of professional wrestling and catch wrestling in the future!

[@NinhLyUK]

Fake WWE? No thanks.

[@baranteyfur4800]

What is fake wwe? A fake version of wwe?

[@ryan.y4895]

Holy shut Ninh Ly has posted!!!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, that appears to be so.

[@ANDX259]

Yay, Ninh is back, also What The ?!?!

[@NinhLyUK]

What the ... indeed!

[@nabhannbn]

Welcome back 😎

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks.

[@josiahcofie-h365]

this is really interesting

[@felixantonio4482]

Welcome back 😁, i just started watching this channel and i thought u leave haha

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks.

[@Jojo-ot3sv]

Ayyyy he’s back

[@NinhLyUK]

Just about, yeah.

[@Jojo-ot3sv]

@@NinhLyUK it’s really good to see you upload again it’s cause of your videos I got into learning a lot of sports/games around the world it’s really good for learning cultures! keep up the great work!

[@NinhLyUK]

@@Jojo-ot3sv Thank you! Glad to see these videos get you to learn more about cultures around the world!

[@davidcosta6522]

Thanks for this video. As always, a number one job!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks again David!

[@nabri-nfg3262]

Im glad your back ninh, Speaking of wrestling, would you do a video on regball,. Its been a hot topic in the basketball world recently

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it. And thanks :)

[@nicholi8933]

This sport is amazing.

[@noaht7000]

Great vid

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks!

[@michaelfrichette7841]

I love ur videos

[@XxJERICHOHOLICxX13]

NINH IS BACK LFG

[@NinhLyUK]

For now, yes!

[@tycokilo4399]

This is a sport of competition I truly respect like yeah all right you take regular style wrestling but kind of had a twist to where nobody's got a true advantage that's true competition

[@Tuckems]

The King has Returned

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed!

[@A.O.T..]

The pro oil wrestlers are extreamly strong grapplers the oil makes it hard to get a grip and it all comes down to power. They are very strong men

[@alperen8006]

Good video from Turkey ❤️ I am shocked. This sport is only playin' in Turkey 😳 Everyone knows this sport in Turkey. We say "Yağlı Güreş".

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, this is mainly a Turkish sport. Other countries do play it, but it's rare.

[@ajfjsjdndkaotunsjaicyshabs6271]

The king is back 🏆🏆🏆

[@NinhLyUK]

Cheers!

[@ozenonneonade1733]

Hey hello! I love your channel and videos please make videos often :)

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll try!

[@ozenonneonade1733]

@@NinhLyUK thank you

[@niiwo]

HES BACK

[@NinhLyUK]

For now at least.

[@uglykk945]

@@NinhLyUK damn u comment on every comment

[@atakanturkylmaz3664]

world most underrated sport..champions like superhuman

[@chrisnguyen1186]

The ritual before the match combined with the music during the match is similar to muay thai

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, very much so!

[@areasquirrel]

Yes, it looks odd, but going past the oil, once explained, and the grabbing down the inside of the trousers, it actually stops becoming silly and bears some similarities to sumo, i.e. grabbing the belt and people of different weights having a fair shot at each other. The more things change and all that.

[@NinhLyUK]

Exactly! I couldn't have said that any better, cheers!

[@mrcsmt5651]

Finally!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes.

[@kayralatifkahraman298]

Thanks ninh ı am turkish ı live in Edirne

[@NinhLyUK]

Hey cool!

[@plebeiangaming5625]

I would love to see a Turkish Oil Grappling match in an octagon

[@ninjasolarteam]

Ufc or bellator would not allowed oil in the cage

[@darrenpeters641]

I would love to see a video on Golf Croquet! It's such a fun sport!

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it

[@darrenpeters641]

@@NinhLyUK Fantastic!!

[@demontorch]

The boys are back in town

[@NinhLyUK]

Indeed.

[@timchiu501]

I almost forgot that I had subscribed this channel 🤣

[@NinhLyUK]

I almost forgot that I owned this channel.

[@erenvepiperavustralya6705]

In Kırkpınar oil wrestling, there are wrestlers who wrestle for 2 hours without a break without even drinking water..

[@chucklebutt4470]

This is pretty cool! I've seen it on some documentary before but it wasn't explained as in-depth as this video. I wonder how "spicy" the olive oil they use is? I imagine you'd want to use a more mature oil lol. Does anyone else wash their face with olive oil? It's really good for oily skin!

[@ModifyBankai]

couldn't help but read this comment in Emil's voice and made myself chuckle lol

[@Fyrverk]

I love to hear more about korean Ssireum

[@Djm8520]

A finger up the spout: 1 point/finger. A sack grab: 2 points. A cockadoodledoo: 1 point/inch‼️

[@GamePro0012]

Well, what a way to return. A funny-looking sport, explained in a video with funny bits. It sounds like you got the proper pronunciation of the Turkish words down, to, though I'd have to ask an actual Turk as to how accurate you actually are. I suppose this is how players/fans/coaches/staff of Galatasary and Fenerbahçe should settle their disputes. I also can't wait to explore Turkey a bit in the virtual world, as the ProMods team add the Asian section of Turkey to _Euro Truck Simulator 2._ With the official _Road to the Black Sea_ expansion (released on 5 December 2019), you only get the European section of Turkey, including Edirne, Tekirdağ, and İstanbul.

[@NinhLyUK]

Cool, thanks! Yeah my Turkish isn't fantastic, I know basic words and phrases from my various trips there but I wouldn't say that my pronunciation was any good. And hey, you can drive to Edirne now with that expansion pack on ETS2! And yes, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce fans should do this instead of fighting ... although I think they'd still fight afterwards.

[@GamePro0012]

@@NinhLyUK You're very welcome! By the way, _Road to the Black Sea_ gives you Romania and Bulgaria in addition to European Turkey. I forgot to mention that.

[@matthew7027]

@@GamePro0012 Turk here...he was very accurate.

[@renzdv4339]

Can y’all make a video on (combat) sambo? I can’t seem to find any information on the rules or general guidelines on this Russian martial arts

[@kaboomgamer333]

Do Lethwei, like these combat sport videos, very intresting. I just found this on Wikipedia, and I'm intregued by the name alone

[@judahgunter6518]

Ninh your back it's been months where have you been

[@saddozaiproduction]

3:25 got me in fits

[@attoboi9763]

so what happens if someone pulls off your kisbet? or is removing your opponents kisbet a strategy?

[@tomwhite4]

I’ve recently gotten a spike ball net and love it but many of my friends and family have no idea of the rules so if you need new sports to explain the rules of then perhaps you could do spikeball

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it!

[@taotd]

One lesser known sport you could cover in a future video is Indoor Soccer. Its like Futsal, only on astroturf and inside a hockey rink like enclosure.

[@NinhLyUK]

I dunno, seems rudimentary especially since I covered Futsal.

[@waldocam10]

Great video! Could you try a video on Mongolian wrestling please?

[@p.t.vega9ne789]

Hakan I finally understand you.

[@fredroberts8275]

Oiled up mma now!

[@felixlee9645]

i swear. i'll be as slippery as an eel if i tried this!

[@kyronology1533]

Can make a video for swimming competition？ btw good to see you back

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it. And thanks!

[@garretts.2003]

Humans are such funny animals. Amazing!

[@Yakuo]

Ty 💙 💙 💙

[@Danspy501st]

6:25 For some reason I felt that. Ouch. I hope he is okay, and hopefully not where I first thought it would be

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah how come every guy can feel groin pain even though they haven't suffered the injury themselves? Weird, huh?

[@hioxd]

Hakkan!!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, someone finally got the SF IV reference!

[@xxfloppypillowxx]

So I have a few questions. Firstly are you allowed to shoulder tackle your opponent? Seems like a grey area between a strike and a grapple, also since losing your kisbet is grounds for DQ can you just try to pull off your opponent's kisbet?

[@NinhLyUK]

1) That wouldn't help you, it's easy to slip off and be re-directed to the floor, where you'd basically lose. 2) Not really, a striking motion is fairly distinct. 3) You can try, but those things are on tightly. And also oiled up, so you can't grab them. Whilst you're busy doing that, the wrestler will find a way to put you on your back, which is much easier.

[@zufarwahid]

What about The Rules of Pencak Silat, mate? Do you have time to make that? Love your videos BTW! 😁

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it. Thanks!

[@nurettinbaygibi]

BTW when oiled; your sweat make your eyes burn. That's a challange too.

[@dougmhd2006]

This was definitely, but somewhat strangely, worth the wait. :D And, oh, BTW, ... ... ...coming up next on ESPN Plus,...:D:D:D! (On second thought, perhaps I shouldn't give them any "funny" ideas. Welcome back to the wonderful, weird world of sports.)

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks! And yes, I don't think we'll be seeing this in ESPN "The Ocho" anytime soon!

[@cobalt.4047]

Welcome back, Also i got a pretty neat suggestion. Since i know some people disregard E-Sports as an actual sport, it would be neat to explain the rules of one sector of E-Sports: Super Smash Bros. Since most of the tournaments have a lot of rules that separate Competitive and Casual Play.

[@NinhLyUK]

E-sports ain't my thing bro, as there's many to cover. I'll consider it though if there's enough demand, for sure.

[@wolverinefangowings]

Since you've covered basically every sport known to man - would you ever consider doing Paralympic sports? Whenever I see them come up in the Olympics I'm curious about how they compare to their "regular" counterparts and how the game is adjusted to accommodate the athletes' needs.

[@thsudy]

Thanks to Kaya from the Official podcast for introducing me to this

[@Krranski]

I knew someone else came here from that. Was not disappointed.

[@xof_fgc1521]

Hey its Hakkan from Street Fighter 4!

[@bongmastii]

Can you able to monitize using videos from others, haven't any copyright claim?

[@arielquelme]

3:25 ok now this make sense

[@Jonathan2342]

I saw something similar to this, except it was held on a kiddie pool filled with Jello. The combatants were much prettier too.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes ... I also saw this ... with pretty combatants ... on an age restricted site ...?!

[@EannaWithAFada]

@@NinhLyUK Typical west trying to censor the traditional sports of Turkey nothing else was at play it was just a friendly match of Turkish Wrestling

[@shadetreader]

These combatants look just fine. 😘

[@AsmrFuns1]

Cuz it’s a fetish and should be censored. Anyone who thinks it isn’t needs a serious reality check.