Nagaland State Taekwondo C’ship begins in Kohima

KOHIMA, JUL 29 (NPN): The 36th Kyorugi and 1st Poomsae Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship 2026, along with the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament, got underway at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on Wednesday, bringing together around 500 taekwondo athletes, coaches and officials from across the state for the three-day championship.
Organised by the Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), the championship seeks to promote taekwondo in Nagaland while identifying and nurturing young talent through Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (patterns) competitions.
During the inaugural, special guest, Superintendent of Police, Kohima, Krodi Rhetso, said taekwondo was more than a sport, describing it as a discipline that shaped character and instilled values that extended beyond the competition arena into academics, careers and everyday life.
He stressed that discipline and hard work were essential for success in any field and encouraged the athletes to make the most of the championship irrespective of the final results. He said every participant was already a winner for having overcome the challenges required to qualify for the state championship and urged them not to be discouraged by defeat.
Highlighting the long-term benefits of taekwondo, Rhetso said the physical fitness, endurance and discipline developed through the martial art would also benefit those aspiring to join the armed forces and police services. Welcoming the introduction of the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament, he commended the NTA and the DYRS for creating opportunities for children to take up the sport at an early age. He expressed confidence that the initiative would help produce athletes capable of representing Nagaland at national and international competitions.
In his welcome address, NTA president Pele Khezhie highlighted the steady progress of taekwondo in Nagaland and acknowledged the continued support extended by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports.
He informed that Nagaland athletes won three medals at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) National Taekwondo Championship hosted in the state by DYRS, with Shiusuthong winning gold while Keyizieteibe and Sudeh Lamliu secured bronze medals. He added that eight other athletes finished among the top eight in their respective categories.
Khezhie also announced that Nagaland would once again host the Under-14 SGFI National Taekwondo Championship in December this year. He said medal winners from the ongoing state championship would earn the opportunity to represent the state at the national championship.
Congratulating athletes for their performances at the Meghalaya Open Taekwondo Championship, Sikkim Open International Taekwondo Championship and Kukkiwon Open International Taekwondo Championship, he also lauded coach Visabiu Peseyie for receiving the Best Coach Award at the Meghalaya Open.
He further informed that Nagaland technical officials Anirudhr Pandey, Alito Sema and Druvichuno Rutsa had been selected to officiate at the 69th Under-17 SGFI Championship in Arunachal Pradesh, which, he said, reflected the growing recognition of the state’s technical officials.
Speaking on the association’s recent achievements, Khezhie said the NTA-sponsored contingent performed creditably at the Sub-Junior and Senior National Taekwondo Championships in Cuttack, Odisha, where Shiusuthong and Sudeh Lamliu won gold medals while Iciheng Ndang claimed silver.
Extending greetings on the occasion, joint director of Youth Resources and Sports, Khriehutuo Tsira, described taekwondo as one of Nagaland’s most successful sporting disciplines, consistently bringing medals to the state while promoting values of discipline, respect, perseverance and self-control.
He also announced that Nagaland would host the Khelo India National School Games Under-14 Taekwondo Championship from December 14 to 18.
The inaugural programme began with an invocation by pastor of Peraciezie Baptist Church, Kohima, Rev. Dr. Kevichalie Metha. The championship will conclude on Thursday, featuring competitions across multiple categories, including the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament.