The main wrestler of Gökbel was Enes Doğan
The 18th Traditional Gökbel Oil Wrestling Festival concluded with oil wrestling matches featuring 60 head wrestlers and 750 wrestlers. By defeating his opponents one by one and reaching the final, Enes Doğan became the head wrestler of Gökbel and received the golden belt.
The two-day Traditional Gökbel Oil Wrestling Festival concluded with intense matches on the wrestling field. The event was attended by Alanya District Governor Fatih Ürkmezer, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, Gazipaşa Mayor Mehmet Ali Yılmaz, Elmalı Mayor Halil Öztürk, CHP Party Assembly Member Şengül Yeşildal, President of the Turkish Traditional Wrestling Federation İbrahim Türkiş, Deputy Commander of Antalya Provincial Gendarmerie Colonel Engin Burak Mindivanlı, Alanya District Gendarmerie Commander Major Hüseyin Direk, President of Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Gökbel Wrestling Chief Eray Erdem, President of the Alanya Tourism Operators Association Burhan Sili, CHP Alanya District Chairman Bülent Kandemir, CHP Gazipaşa District Chairman Fahri Oğuz, Political Party Leaders, Legendary Kırkpınar Wrestling Chief Seyfettin Selim, Alanya Municipal Vice Mayors, Mayoral Advisors and Council Members, as well as local citizens.
102 Children from 102 Neighborhoods of Alanya Stepped onto the Wrestling Field
The wrestling matches began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, followed by a prayer led by the Antalya Provincial Mufti, Nazif Fethi Yalçınkaya. For the first time this year, as part of a project aimed at directing the youth of Alanya towards sports, 102 children from 102 neighborhoods stepped onto the wrestling field. The children, who had their kispet (traditional wrestling pants) specially made by the Alanya Municipality, were individually invited to the arena with their names announced. Afterwards, the head wrestlers, 102 child wrestlers, and a giant Turkish flag paraded around the wrestling area, greeting the spectators. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, and protocol members also performed the traditional greeting ceremony to the applause of thousands of citizens filling the area.
COUNCIL MEMBER UTKAN HASAN EMİNOĞLU WON THE TENDER FOR THE CHIEF WRESTLER POSITION
For next year’s 19th Traditional Gökbel Oil Wrestling Festival, the opening bid for the chief wrestler position was set at 3 million TL by Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik and Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek. The tender for the chief wrestler was attended by Eray Erdem, President of the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the chief wrestler of the 18th Traditional Gökbel Oil Wrestling Festival, Utkan Hasan Eminoğlu, Deputy Chair of the Alanya Municipality Council and Alanya City Council Member, businessman Ali İhsan Avşaroğlu, and tourism professional Cem Özcan. The competitive auction for the position was won by Utkan Hasan Eminoğlu with a bid of 7 million 7 thousand 77 TL, making him the chief wrestler for the coming year. Eray Erdem, the ALTSO President who has held the position for three terms, stated that he will always support such events and made a pledge of 500 thousand TL.
Enes Doğan Becomes Gökbel’s Chief Wrestler
The wrestling matches drew significant attention from the public. The stands, completely filled with spectators, watched the matches with great excitement. In the intense competition among the chief wrestlers, Mustafa Batu and Seçkin Duman faced off against Faruk Akkoyun and Enes Doğan in the semifinals. In the arena, where a total of 60 chief wrestlers competed, Enes Doğan and Mustafa Batu reached the final match. Enes Doğan won the thrilling final and became the chief wrestler of the 18th Traditional Gökbel Oil Wrestling Festival.
"Next Year, We Will Gather at an Even More Beautiful Event"
Enes Doğan's golden belt was presented by Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik. In his speech, the Mayor's Advisor Abdurrahman Açıkalın said, "We organized our 18th festival as if we were doing it for the first time. I thank our mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik and his team. This is one of the largest events in the Mediterranean. It is not just a wrestling competition but a cultural event. Next year, we will take our festival to a completely new level." Mayor Özçelik added, "Next year, we will come together for an even more beautiful and enjoyable event. I thank everyone who contributed."
Here Are the Winners:
In the Minik Small category: Turgut Tuğra Arı
In the Minik Two category: Mehmet Efe Çörek
In the Teşvik One category: Orhan Ceylan
In the Teşvik Two category: Süleyman Turan
In the Tozkoparan category: Mehmet Başkan Bozkurt
In the Ayak category: Ferhat Duman
In the Deste Küçük category: Kadir Eren Atlı
In the Deste Orta category: Muhammet Berat Duran
In the Deste Büyük category: Ramazan Özen
In the Küçük Orta Büyük category: Ramazan Yıldız Çilenker
In the Büyük Orta category: Atahan Eser
In the Başaltı category: Celal Bayar Çilenker
They all finished the Gökbel Oil Wrestling Championship as champions.
