Two outstanding athletes Kitenlo K. Thono from Ehunnu Village, Tseminyu District and Hinokali from Izheto Village, VK Town, Zunheboto District have qualified to represent India for the first time from Nagaland in Pencak Silat at the 9th Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2025, to be held at Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, from July 23 to 31 . Both athletes have been undergoing rigorous and intensive training at Faith in Action Martial Arts Academy for the challenging and highly competitive championship.
A press release by Nagaland Pencak Silat Association general secretary and head coach Deep Kumar stated that the Asian championship is hosted by the Vietnam Pencak Silat Federation under the aegis of the Asian Pencak Silat Federation and the International Pencak Silat Federation.
The release stated that Kitenlo and Hinokali earned this rare honour after securing Gold Medals in Tanding (Match) during the 13th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship held at KD Babu Stadium, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from April 9 to 12 by Indian Pencak Silat Federation. Their consistent excellence and dedication have placed them among India’s top-ranked Pencak Silat athletes.
Both athletes are products of the Nagaland Pencak Silat Association and have brought numerous laurels to the state over the years.
About Kitenlo K. Thono
Father’s Name: Khitilo Rengma
Hailing from: Ehunnu Village, Tseminyu District, Nagaland.
Achievements:
- Gold Medal – Junior National Championship 2019, Amritsar, Punjab.
- Gold Medal – North East Championship 2023, Imphal, Manipur.
- Gold Medal – 37th National Games 2023, Goa.
- Gold Medal – All India University Games 2024, Amritsar, Punjab.
- Gold and Silver Medal – Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024.
- Gold and Silver Medal – 3rd North East Games 2024, Nagaland.
- Bronze Medal – Senior National Championship 2024, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Gold Medal – North East Championship 2024, Guwahati, Assam.
- Gold Medal – Senior National Championship 2025, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Total Medal Tally: 9 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze — 12 Medals
About Hinokali
Father’s Name: Asheto Jimo
Hailing from: Izheto Village, VK Town, Zunheboto District, Nagaland.
Achievements: - Bronze Medal – 3rd North East Championship 2020, Assam.
- Silver Medal – 5th North East Championship 2023, Imphal, Manipur.
- Bronze Medal – 37th National Games 2023, Goa.
- Double Gold – Khelo India Women’s Pencak Silat League 2023, Dimapur, Nagaland.
- 2 Gold & 1 Bronze – Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024, Dimapur.
- Double Gold – 3rd North East Games 2024, Sovima, Nagaland.
- Double Gold – 6th North East Championship 2024, Guwahati, Assam.
- Gold & Silver – 12th Senior National Championship 2024,Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- 2 Gold & 1 Bronze – ASMITA Khelo India Pencak Silat Women’s League 2025, North East Zone, Nagaland.
- Silver and Bronze – ASMITA Khelo India Senior National Women’s League 2025, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Gold, Silver and Bronze – 13th Senior National Championship 2025 at Lucknow, UP.
- Silver Medal – Khelo India Beach Games 2025, Diu.
Total Medal Tally: 14 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze — 26 Medals.
President Khevishe Sema along with the officials of Nagaland Pencak Silat Association extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Kitenlo and Hinokali as they prepare to compete against the best in Asia and wishing them success to represent India and Nagaland at the international arena in Vietnam.