Famous Wrestlers (Pehlivans)

Gaddar Kel Aliço

(b.1845 - d.1922)
Also known as "Ruthless Bald Alico", he was Champion for 26 years from 1861-1886. He left the wrestling when he was defeated by Koca Yusuf and became the coach of Adali Halil.

Koca Yusuf

(b.1857 Sumnu, near Deliorman Bulgaria - d. 4th of June 1898)
Yusuf defeated Kel Alico at the Edirne Kirkpinar and received the Gold Belt, remaining Champion for 18 years. He defeated all the wrestling champions in Europe and went to America to defeat Robert the Champion of America, becoming the Universal Champion of wrestling on the 21st of May 1898.

Finally, in Chicago, Yusuf quickly defeated the famous Evan "Strangler" Lewis. After that, he boarded the liner La Bourgogne for the voyage back to France. Off Nova Scotia it hit another ship and sank, taking down 500 people including the Terrible Turk. The survivors remember Yusuf acting "like a wild beast." With a dagger in his hand, he forced his way through the frightened crowds waiting to board the lifeboats. By the time he reached the rails, a fully loaded boat was already being lowered. Ignoring the shouts of the crew, he jumped into it. His huge weight, together with the violence of his leap, overturned the boat and all its occupants were thrown into the sea. Yusuf, although a good swimmer, was dragged down by the weight of his $10,000 gold belt and drowned.

Adali Halil

(b.1871 Kilise Köy,Greece - d.1926 Edirne)
Halil was buried on the special erected Pehlivan Cemetery. At the beginning of the Edirne Kirkpinar all wrestlers and officials go to his grave for a ceremonial prayer.

Hergeleci Ibrahim

(b.1848 in Islopol Razgrad - d.1915)
Hergeleci Ibrahim was nicknamed Hergeleci as he was trainer of wild horses. He defeated Adali Halil at the Edirne Kirkpinar and became the coach of Koca Yusuf. In Paris, France, he wrestled with Yusuf. The match was interrupted and never completed.

Mahmut of Kizilcik

(b.1878 Kizilcik near Dobruca ,Romania - d.1931 Eskisehir, Turkey)
After becoming Champion at the Edirne Kirkpinar he went to Paris where he stood undefeated after no less than 27 wrestling matches. His fame spread around the World and Kizilcikli Mahmut won all the wrestling matches he fought in the USA in the years 1908, 1909, 1919 and 1922.His legendary strength is still remembered in Romania.

Mehmet of Kurtdere

(b.1864 in Deliorman, Bulgaria - d.1939 Balikesir, Turkey)
He wrestled with all famous wrestlers of his time and travelled to France, Great Britain, The Netherlands and the USA - never defeated.