Newsletters
More than 10,000 people came to the Orman Parki Bull-Wrestling Arena in Yusufeli for the Derekapi Bull-Wrestling Festival. The stands were full, and many people gathered outside the venue as well.
The four-day festival, organized by Yusufeli Municipality, included 227 bulls from Artvin, Erzurum, and Rize. They competed in eight weight classes, from lightweight to super heavyweight.
On the last day, 74 bulls competed in the five heaviest weight classes.
The bulls weighed between 320 and 950 kilograms and were fed special diets all year. Referees oversaw the matches, and veterinarians were present during the event.
Winners shared ₺1.08 million (about $33,200) in prize money, and the top heavyweight champion received ₺150,000.
The festival began nearly 200 years ago, when bulls were brought together before moving to the highlands for the season. This practice later became a formal competition.
Yusufeli Mayor Baris Demirci said the event is important for the region's culture and social life.
"This is an important cultural value for our region, both in its cultural and social dimensions," Demirci told Anadolu Agency (AA).
The mayor said more people attended than expected, with visitors from places such as Balikesir, Igdir, Malatya, and Kocaeli. Many guests stayed overnight to watch the matches.
Demirci added that the large turnout brought the community closer and showed the festival's appeal beyond the local area.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
