In pictures: Oil wrestlers seek glory in Turkey’s centuries-old contest

A wrestler cools off as he competes during the 661st annual Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship (Francisco Seco/AP)

It took nearly an hour of grappling with his opponent under the blazing Turkish sun for Cengizhan Simsek to win the tournament and join a long list of previous victors.

A very long list — this was the 661st Kirkpinar oil wrestling championship, taking place in western Edirne province.