World Karakucak Wrestling Championship Held in Kahramanmaraş

The World Karakucak Wrestling Championship took place at the Batıpark Earthquake Martyrs Arena in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Supported by the World Ethnosport Union, the championship brought together 107 athletes from 16 countries, showcasing the deep-rooted heritage of traditional Turkish wrestling on the global stage. Over two days of competition, athletes from various nations demonstrated both technical skill and cultural dedication to the traditions of wrestling.

Matches were held across nine different weight categories. In the prestigious Başpehlivan (chief wrestler) bout, Türkiye’s Feyzullah Aktürk defeated his Iranian opponent Mostafa Masoud Najafi Kalatehei to win the golden belt. In the team rankings, Türkiye placed first with 90 points, followed by Iran with 47 points and Azerbaijan with 46 points.

The Karakucak Wrestling World Championship holds significant importance in preserving traditional wrestling, promoting it internationally, and ensuring its transmission to younger generations.

Through such events, the World Ethnosport Union continues to bring together traditional sports communities from around the world, reinforcing its mission of “From Tradition to the Future.”