Correspondent
WOKHA, AUG 23 (NPN): Three young boxers from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Chukitong, Wokha, brought laurels to Nagaland by winning one silver and two bronze medals at the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti National Boxing Championship, held at JNV Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Gujarat, from August 18 to 21.
Competing in the Under-14 Boys category, Rhanben S. Lotha clinched silver in the 42–44 kg category, while Benathung M. Tsopoe and Emmanuel Y. Ezung secured bronze medals in the 44–46 kg and 32–34 kg categories, respectively.
Rhanben advanced to the final after defeating Shayed of Pune Region in the quarter-final and Chatrapal of Bhubaneswar Region in the semi-final, before finishing runner-up to Anshuman of Lucknow Region. Benathung overcame Akshay of Hyderabad Region and Amritraj of Patna Region before bowing out in the semi-final against Ankur of Lucknow Region. Emmanuel defeated Luv Kush of Bhopal Region in the quarter-final but lost to Hemchandra of Hyderabad Region in the semi-final.
This championship marked the first national-level outing for all three boxers, following their gold-medal performances at the Regional Boxing Meet in Barpeta, Assam, in April 2026.
Eight boxers from JNV Chukitong were among the 49 athletes representing the Shillong Region. The other six were Sujamo M. Tsanglao, Limhathung Yanthan, Erenthung Tungoe, Rhonjanthung M. Jami and Zaremo Odyuo. The Shillong Region finished with eight gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, with three of the eight JNV Chukitong representatives returning with medals.
The team was trained and accompanied by Physical Education Teacher Bikash Jyoti Bora. JNV Chukitong Principal Dr. Bijay Kumar Gupta congratulated the medal winners and lauded Bora’s efforts in preparing the students, expressing optimism for greater achievements in future competitions.