Hundreds of Wrestling Camels Compete in Annual Turkish Tournament Dating back 2,400 Years
It’s the wrestling event of the year in Turkey, but don’t expect to see the likes of Hulk Hogan or The Rock anywhere near this arena.
Hundreds of wrestling camels have been photographed competing in an annual event watched by thousands of enthusiasts in the country.
The Selcuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival was held yesterday in the town of Selcuk, near the western Turkish coastal city of Izmir.
The tradition is a major tourist attraction and dates back more than 2,400 years when it was first carried out by Turkic tribes.
Tactics include pushing for a retreat in what is called a ‘tekci’, or getting a competitor’s head under a chest before sitting in a ‘bagci’.
The animals, who can also be seen to perform a foot trip known as a ‘cengelci’, are divided into categories based on their weight and age.
The sport has been criticised by animal welfare groups, but organisers say they have listened to these concerns and improved camel safety.
