Nagaland: ZSUD accords warm welcome to kickboxing champ

The Zeliang Students Union Dimapur (ZSUD) accorded a warm welcome to kickboxing champion Kulungshi Newmai on January 28, at Dimapur Railway Station on his return from Kolkata, where he clinched the ISKA India Open International Kickboxing Championship Semi-Pro Strawweight (52 kg) Title Belt, held from January 23 to 25.
Congratulating Newmai for his landmark achievement, the union lauded him for proudly representing Nagaland on the national stage and extended best wishes for his future competitions. ZSUD encouraged him to continue inspiring the Zeliang community and the wider Naga society through his dedication and success in combat sports. Speaking exclusively to Nagaland Post, Newmai underlined the decisive role of mental strength in kickboxing, stressing that while technique and physical conditioning are essential, mental clarity, focus, and emotional control often determine outcomes under pressure. At elite levels, he noted, victories are frequently decided by mindset rather than physical ability alone.
Reflecting on his preparation, the 26-year-old highlighted discipline and consistency as the cornerstones of his training camp. His routine involved daily training, strict dietary control, responsible weight management and equal emphasis on physical conditioning and mental readiness. He acknowledged facing difficult phases during the journey but credited the prayers and support of his family and colleagues, along with his own determination, for keeping him motivated.
Before stepping into the ring, Newmai relies on prayer to stay calm and composed. He also shared a message for young athletes from Nagaland and the Northeast, urging them to believe in themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and give their dreams an honest try, assuring that effort and faith yield results.
Newmai spoke candidly about the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level—time, comfort, social life and personal space, adding that unwavering focus on training, diet and recovery was non-negotiable. His typical day revolves around multiple training sessions, sparring, recovery work, careful nutrition and mental reset.
On balancing intensity with recovery, he explained that while kickboxing demands grinding training five to six days a week—pads, sparring, sprints, he prioritizes one full rest day, eight hours of sleep, daily mobility work, stretching and foam rolling. For him, discipline also means knowing when to step back to avoid injury and burnout.
A history graduate, Newmai works as a physical educator and serves as a taekwondo and kickboxing coach. He began his martial arts journey at the age of nine with taekwondo and has since trained across multiple disciplines. His accolades include six ITF Taekwondo State gold medals, Wushu Sanda State silver, and representing Nagaland University at the All India University Games in Pencak Silat—a testament to his versatility and commitment to martial arts.