25-year-old Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü from Kohima village, representing Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA) emerged as the champion of the 52nd Angami Sports Association (ASA) wrestling meet, held at Khuochiezie ground, here on Saturday. Defending champion Pienyü has now three ASA championship titles to his name with his latest win. He was also the champion of the NASA wrestling meet held in February.
In the final match, Pienyü defeated 26 year old Kezhavizo Thevo from Chedema village also representing NASA. The two wrestlers have met in the finals for the third time in a row where Pienyü emerged victorious in all the encounters. He walked away with a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh along with the championship belt and citations while Thevo received a cash prize of Rs 1.7 lakh along with citations. In the third place match 28 year old Keviser Dzüvichü overpowered 22 year old Vaphizo Rutsa both from Kohima village representing NASA, to secure the third position.
They walked away with cash prizes of Rs 1.3 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively.
In the semi-final matches Kezhaseluo-o defeated Vaphizo Rutsa while Kezhavizo downed Keviser Dzüvichü.
During the quarter final matches, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü defeated Vizakietuo Suohu, Keviser Dzüvichü defeated Atuo Tevo, Vaphizo Rutsa defeated Keneiselie Khawakhrie and Kezhavizo Thevo defeated Khrietsonyü Whuorie.
Best tactic was awarded to 23 year old Khrielabeituo Semou from Nerhema village representing NASA.
He received a cash prize of Rs Rs 15,000.
The losing quarter finalists each recieved Rs 20,000 while all the wrestlers received Rs 2,500.
Team NASA with a total point of 90 in the three rounds emerged as the group champion.
Earlier, during the inaugural, chief guest for the event, chief minister Neiphiu Rio thanked all the various organisations who organise wrestling meets in helps in preserving the traditional game.
He said the indigenous game being a crowd favourite attracts the biggest crowd starting from the village level paying homage to the tradition.
He highlighted the need to not only promote the traditional game but even the belt wrestling which has a wider recognition has is played at the international level.
He lauded all those medal winners at different national and international level for bringing laurels to the state, saying that was how the game should be popularised.
He urged organisations like ASA and Nagaland Wrestling Association to broaden their scope by expanding the rules and regulations so be more inclusive and accomodative which would be more beneficial for the people. Rio opined that apart from the three wrestling communities, the game could be a tool to unify the people with the participation of more communities.
He said if the games are played only at tribe level there would not be enough progress therefore if the game would be played as a Naga game it should also have participation from more the whole of Nagas. He suggested that instead of having tribe bodies, there could be district level bodies with women categories as well.
Nagaland to host world belt championship
Rio announced that Nagaland would also be hosting the world belt wrestling championship sometime in the month of November as requested by Indian belt wrestling body.
CM informed that the North East Games 2024 is scheduled to be held from March 18-21 where around 3000 athletes will be arriving the take part in the various events.
He said belt wrestling would be included in the event and therefore Nagaland was hoping to improve its medal tally through this discipline as there are many good players. He urged the players to display the best behaviours and also promote a game spirit of friendship.
Guest of honour during the valedictory, MLA, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, in a short speech said Naga wrestling was a traditional game where the two players, referring to each other as friend, shows utmost respect to one another.
He observed that wrestling brings people together and therefore should be promoted in all possible manner.
Echoing CM’s speech, Rhütso suggested that Nagas should also concentrate in freestyle and belt wrestling as those were currently played at the international level.
Earlier, the inaugural was chaired by general secretary, ASA, Er Seyielhouvi Nagi while invocation was pronounced by pastor, Mezoma Baptist Church, Rev Vicavor Krose.
President’s address was delivered by Er Lhoubeizo Kesiyie while special numbers were presented by Lita Kro-u and Lidi Kro-u.
Oath to the players was administered by wrestling secretary, Visakrol Vitsu.
The valedictory programme was chaired by joint secretary, ASA, Keneilel Kevin Rote.
Invocation and prayer for the new ASA team was pronounced by Rev Fr Dr Vizosieo Solomon Vizo.
The ground management was done by Angami Catholic Union.