Emine Pehlivan: The Turkish Woman Who Defeated Male Opponents in Wrestling in the 1930s

This study explores the biography of Emine Pehlivan, a woman who lived in the Republic of Turkey in the 1930s and was actively engaged in the sport of wrestling and famous for competing against male opponents. She was a heavyweight wrestler known for her invincibility. The investigation of her wrestling career is important because it demonstrates that women are not confined to traditional social roles and that the sport is not just for men. Emine Pehlivan is unique in Turkish sports history and an example of the successful struggle for gender equality. However, academic research about her is entirely lacking, and this gap is the motivation for the study. While researching her life and wrestling, the local and national press of the period in which she lived was scanned, and academic publications in the field of Turkish sports history were used. Eminem Pehlivan's sports career, which proved that women can be strong and talented by making a big debut in heavyweight wrestling, demonstrates the contribution of women to the sports world in particular.