36 Prominent Wrestlers registered to vie for the championship
Kuzhovesa Soho
The 10th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2016 is all set witness on December 7, at Amphitheatre, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama with prominent wrestlers from 3 Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) constituent units viz; Angami Sports’ Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA) including Poumai from Manipur state and tourists from abroad.
The 10 days Hornbill festival showcases several Naga traditions and cultures at maximum and was witnessed by the people from different walks of life. Among them, Naga Style Wrestling was one of the most reputed traditional games which exposes fairness in its nature and was respected by its people since time immemorial till date.
The Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship which is organized by the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) and sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Nagaland was started in the year 2007 and was subsequently observed as an annual event. The very championship bears a unique history by extending its horizon to the other areas where other than NWA constituent units like Poumai, Ao and tourist from abroad partake and excels.
Mention may be made that, in the year 2009, 1st Naga-Korean Wrestling championship was also organized along with the normal championship. In view of the foreign tourist participation being observed improving, the NWA named the championship as “International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship” last year (2015) and the same nomenclature will be used in its future proceedings.The 2016 championship shall feature prominent wrestlers from NWA constituent units, other neighbouring communities, international tourists etc. As the NWA celebrated its 25th Tournament Anniversary early part this year, it is expected that, the 10th edition would observed with a difference.
As per the sources of the NWA, till date 36 prominent wrestlers from the 3 NWA constituent units had registered to vie for the championship. The NWA disclosed that registration for both local and international wrestlers will continue till December 7. Following are some of the title holders vying for the championship. Dzieselatuo Kerütsü-reigning champion of the Hornbill Naga Wrestling, Venuzo Dawhuo- reigning champion of the Open Naga Wrestling, Mhasilhousie Nagi- reigning champion of ASA and the King of the Ring (Wrestle Mania), Vezhopo Chüzho-champion of the 7th edition (2013) Hornbill Naga Wrestling, Nlumrai Hegwang- reigning champion of the ZWA, Keduovilie Zumu-the reigning 4th position holder of the NWA championship and many more.
The 10th edition champion will walked away with a cash prize of `. 80,000/- while the runner up will receive a cash prize of `. 50,000/-. The losing semi-finalists will also pocket a sum of `. 20,000/- each, the losing quarter finalists will receive `. 5,000/- each while the losing pre-quarter finalists will also receive `. 2,000/- each along with citations.
Meanwhile, the day long championship will be graced by Advocate Timikha Koza, President, Tenyimia Public Organization (TPO) as the Chief Guest. Hangcheu Zeliang (ZWA), Kezhalelie Kerütsü (ASA) and Surhoneyi Soho (CWA) will be the referees of the day event while Hukhoneyi Soho, Chisazo Dawhuo, Kikhwesul Thokhwe and Visakhoto Krose will be the members of the Jury Board. NWA general secretary Vekhozo will chaired the inaugural function, Rev. Fr. Anthony R. Dukru, Vice Principal, St. Joseph College, Jakhama, will invokes God’s blessing, Presidential address will be delivered by NWA President, Neivikuolie Khatsü, Pholami Cultural Troupe will present indigenous special presentation, while NWA Technical Secretary Visakhoto Krose will administered oath to the wrestlers.
The given below chart is the list of champions since 2007 till 2015. Guess who will be the champion of the 10th edition? The picture of the champions is also given in ascending order of the championship.
