Kurtdereli Mehmet

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Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan (1864–1939) was a famous Turkish wrestler. He was born in Bukurovo village near Tırnova and lived most of his life in Kurtdere, about 40 km from Balıkesir. He stood 196 cm tall and weighed about 148 kg. He became başpehlivan, the top title in Turkish oil wrestling, at Kırkpınar near Edirne after defeating Kara Osman. He traveled to France during the "Turkish Invasion," promoted by Joseph Doublier, and also wrestled in Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States, where he was undefeated. After the 1934 law on family names, he took the surname Baykurt. He died in Kurtdere near Balıkesir and is remembered as one of the era’s great wrestlers.