Kurtdereli Mehmet facts for kids
Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan (born 1864 in Bukurovo village, near Tırnova; died April 11, 1939, in Kurtdere village, near Balıkesir) was a very famous Turkish wrestler. He spent most of his life in Kurtdere village, which is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Balıkesir. He was a very big and strong man, standing about 196 centimeters (6 feet 5 inches) tall and weighing around 148 kilograms (326 pounds).
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Who Was Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan?
Kurtdereli Mehmet was known as a "Pehlivan," which is a traditional Turkish wrestler. These wrestlers often compete in a sport called oil wrestling, where they cover themselves in olive oil. He became famous for his strength and skill. He wrestled against many well-known wrestlers of his time. His fame spread across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and into Europe.
Becoming a Champion Wrestler
Kurtdereli Mehmet became a wrestling champion, known as a başpehlivan, at the Kırkpınar tournament. Kırkpınar is a very old and traditional oil wrestling event held near Edirne, Turkey. He earned his top title by defeating another strong wrestler named Kara Osman. This victory made him one of the most respected wrestlers in Turkey.
Traveling the World to Wrestle
Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan also traveled outside of Turkey to compete. A French wrestler and promoter named Joseph Doublier helped bring Turkish wrestlers to France. This period was sometimes called the "Turkish Invasion" of wrestling because many Turkish wrestlers became very popular there. Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan was one of these wrestlers. Other famous Turkish wrestlers who went to France included Yusuf Ismail and Nurullah Hasan.
After wrestling in France, Kurtdereli Mehmet also competed in Great Britain, The Netherlands, and the USA. He was known for his incredible strength and skill. It is said that he was never defeated in these international matches.
His Family Name
In 1934, a new law called the Surname Law was passed in Turkey. This law required all Turkish citizens to choose a family name. Kurtdereli Mehmet chose the surname Baykurt.
