Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 17 (EMN): Fitness community in Nagaland on Saturday thronged to Kohima's Sokhriezie Lake Park and participated in various competitions of the Nagaland Street Fitness chapter VII.
Started by a group of four friends, Nagaland Street Fitness has been gaining momentum over the years, as more gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts took part in the annual event.
Member of the Nagaland Street Fitness, Yanpvuo Kikon, said the event is not government-sponsored but about the fitness community coming together and promoting each other.
Through the event, the orgniser hopes to inspire and motivate others to live healthy lives because Nagas are supposed to be “strong warriors”.
"We need to become stronger, fitter and that is the message we want to convey to the youngsters", he added.
Fitness communities from across the state including Kohima, Dimapur, Tseminyu, Mokokchung and other districts have come to participate and get-together. This year witnessed maximum participation, Kikon informed.
Highlighting further on the competitions, he said, it included arm wrestling of both left-hand and right-hand in female and male categories, push-ups (both male and female), free squats (male and female), best physique (male) and tug-of-war.
As the name suggests, the event is street style in nature. There is no age or weight bar to compete except for a segregation of male and female in various categories.
Fitness trainer and IBBF Mr India 2021 silver medallist, Keneilelie Sorünuo, said that after the pandemic, fitness has become a necessity for everyone and is not a luxury anymore.
Sorünuo, who was the judge for the men's 'best physique' category, pointed out that one needs to focus more on staying fit as a lot of complications are coming up these days. He urged to invest money and time into fitness as much as one spends time in other activities.
A participant, Imliyanger Aier, shared that working out in the gym gives him peace of mind when faced with stressful situations. He believes that working out not only promotes physical health but mental health as well. Aier added that he started his fitness journey way back in college, in 2016. Ever since, he has never looked back and now owns a gym which was opened this year.
Judges for Best Physique were Thepfungunyu Tieso Solo, Keneilelie Sorünuo (Kenny Suro), and Moalong Yaden. Referees for arm wrestling were Neli Dominic and Niboto Achumi while the referee for push-ups was conducted by Team Friction.
In squats, the champion (women) was Peiheitele and vice champion (VC) was won by Julia Khing. Squats men champion was Imliyanger Aier and VC was Atsi Viyie.
For push-ups, Merenla and Peheitele won in the women’s category while in the men’s category, Atsi (total of 93) and Medovizo Belho (91) won first position and VC respectively .
In arm wrestling male, (left hand) Vethozo Lohe won (both the left hand and right hand) while Kuvumerü came VC (left hand) and Huluyi as right hand VC. For women, Razucilu lohe won first and Loreni Tsanglao stood second.
The Best Physique was won by Talimoa (Star Gym) and Solomon (Wolves Gym). Strongest Gym went to Battleground Unisex Gym followed by Star Gym.