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Wrestlers during the selection trials at IG Stadium in Kohima on October 19. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 20 (EMN): The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) has selected 25 wrestlers, including 18 belt wrestlers and seven freestyle wrestlers, to represent Nagaland at the upcoming national wrestling tournaments in November.
The 18 belt wrestlers, including a junior category girl, will compete at the National belt wrestling to be held from November 21-24, at Hyderabad, Telangana. Meanwhile, six male and a female will participate at the National Free Style championship scheduled from November 28 to December 1 at Jalandhar in Punjab.
A daylong state selection trial was conducted by NWA at IG Stadium in Kohima on October 19. The wrestlers were selected from various districts in the state.
For belt wrestling, selected wrestlers will be competing at different categories—cadet (sub-junior), junior, senior. In the free style wrestling, both male and female will be participating at different categories. Meanwhile, Venuzo Dawhou will also compete at Greco Roman apart from belt wrestling.
Earlier, during the formal programme director of Youth Resources and Sports, Akumla Chuba said that the wrestling scenario in the state has come of age. It has its roots in the Naga traditional wrestling as forefathers have passed on the love of wrestling way back. ‘It is a part of our culture and identity passed by our forefathers,’ she said.
The director lauded NWA for helping wrestlers find a bigger platform. She also assured department’s support and assistance in every possible way.
President NWA Neivikuolie Khatsü said that about 50-60 players had turned up to the trials. The association sought cooperation from all the selected wrestlers and unit officials.
While lamenting that low turnout of female wrestlers, he said that most of players could not participate because of the upcoming academic examinations in November.
The list of selected wrestlers and the winners during the selection trial in different categories included:
- BELT WRESTLING
Cadet – Boy (53 Kg) – Vikedoutuo
Junior girls (50 kg) – Vingutouno
Junior-Boy (54 Kg)
1st-Bontang Phom
2nd-Viketoutuo
Junior Boys (59 Kg)
1st-Vebo Nienu
2nd-Verothi
Junior-Boy (65 Kg)
1st-Mhasheve Resuh
2nd-Lhupra Vero
Senior-Boy (57 Kg)
1st-Rokovoto
2nd-Mhasineikho
Senior-Boy (65 Kg)
1st-Rokokehie
2nd-Kevilhuolie
Senior-Boy (74 Kg)
1st-Keneiselie
2nd-Kuchohu Curhah
Senior-Boy (86 Kg)
1st-Vekutho Soho
2nd-Seketoukho Nipu
Senior-Boy (86 Kg above)
1st-Menuosetuo Yiese
2nd-Venuzo Dawhuo
B. FREE STYLE WRESTLING
Men (57 Kg) - Viketuo Kapu
Men (65 Kg) - Kaiswang Zeliang
Men (70 Kg) - Thechamo Murry
Men (97 Kg)
Ist-Keduovilie Zumu
2nd-Megosier Khate.
Greco Roman (97 kg) - Venuzo Dawhuo
Women Free style (55) - Khrunuzolu