Oil wrestling season lasts eight months in Turkey culminating with the the main event, the Kirkpinar. Yes folks, German news magazine Der Spiegel calls it, the highlight of the Turkish sporting calendar.

Every summer for the last 650 years, Turkish men have gathered to see who was the strongest, fastest and slickest of them all. It’s called Kirkpinar, and it’s the biggest oil wrestling competition in the world.

The well-muscled men face off in the middle of a grassy field, as a crowd of thousands looks on eagerly. Slowly, methodically, they cover their chests and legs with olive oil — first with the right hand, then with the left. Then they take turns oiling each others’ backs.

And what does one wear for the competition? If your first guess was leather, go to the head of the class.

Aside from copious amounts of olive oil, the sport requires just one piece of equipment: A pair of thick, tight knickers made from water buffalo hide or calf leather. The “kispet” can weigh almost 30 pounds, and is a critical element of the bouts: because their opponents are covered in oil, the leather short pants are sometimes the only thing that provides leverage. The pant legs are sewn shut with thread before the match to prevent opponents from slipping a finger inside for an easy throw.

Who says Turkey doesn’t belong in the European Union? If the Finnish people with their wife carrying contest are members, the Turks and Kirkpinar are a natural fit.