Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü defended his senior title at the 67th Northern Angami Sports Association Wrestling Meet held at Khuochiezie Ground, Kohima.
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KOHIMA — Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü successfully defended his champion title in the senior category of the 67th Wrestling Meet of the Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA), defeating Menuosetuo Yiese in two straight bouts in the final held on Wednesday at Khuochiezie Local Ground, Kohima.
Thejavizo Merhieso finished third, while Keneisevor Theünuo secured fourth place.
Pienyü received a cash prize of INR 1 lakh. The second prize carried INR 80,000, the third prize INR 60,000, the fourth prize INR 40,000 and each quarter-finalist received INR 20,000. It was informed that a total of 48 wrestlers from four groups covering 29 villages under NASA competed for the title.
Also read: Nagaland Wrestling Association to hold 30th Naga Traditional Wrestling Championship
Gracing the inaugural session, Bashangmongba Chang, Minister for Housing and Mechanical Engineering, said Naga wrestling holds a special place in the culture of Nagaland and that in the past, winning wrestling contests was considered a matter of pride and honour in the community. He observed that major wrestling events today attract large audiences and contribute both culturally and economically.
He said wrestlers from the Chang community had undergone training under the Angami and Chakhesang wrestling associations last year and that wrestling has since been included as one of their festival sports. He added that wrestling strengthens Naga identity among youth and that promoting the sport helps safeguard an important cultural tradition.
At the valedictory session, Neiyalie Angami, treasurer of the Nagaland Olympic Association, described wrestling as a sport of brotherhood and discipline for the Nagas and stressed that wrestlers must remain obedient and disciplined as the sport carries deep cultural and traditional values. He said traditional Naga wrestling is more than a competitive sport, serving as a medium through which wrestlers share blessings and uphold unity.
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He further noted that the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) has been working consistently to promote the sport at national and international levels. Referring to the National Games scheduled for February–March 2027 in Meghalaya, he said 35 disciplines will be played and that Nagaland has been selected to host the wrestling discipline in the national style. He encouraged freestyle wrestlers to train rigorously, stating that athletes have about one year to prepare.
During the event, NASA announced its new office bearers for 2026–28: Neikeso Zumu as president; Meguorovi Mepfhüo as vice-president; Viliebeizi Liezietsu as general secretary; Khrielie Zhale as joint secretary; Petekhrietuo Kiewhuo as treasurer; Kikruneilie Zumu as finance secretary; Khelhouvakhrie Kire as wrestling secretary; Ruokuohelie Vipfhe as assistant wrestling secretary; Vizelie Rüpreo as game secretary; Khriesaneilie Sote as assistant game secretary; Neingusalie Khoubve as athletic secretary; Kelhouzasie Keyho as assistant athletic secretary; Medoneinuo Üsou as property secretary; Lhouvivor Sekhose as press secretary; Medongulie Zhale as catering secretary; Neilalie Pielie as assistant catering secretary; and Khriengutuonuo Mere, Menuosenuo Keyientsu, Keduokhrienuo Miario and Thejavinuo Dzeyie as women coordinators.
