Menuosetuo wins 48th ASA wrestling meet

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Feb.12 (EMN): 21-year-old Menuosetuo Yiese took down Kezhaseluo-o Pienyu, another 21-year-old opponent in the final bout to lift the championship title of the coveted 48th Angami Sports Association (ASA) wrestling meet at Khuochiezie local ground on Wednesday, February 12.

Yiese (6 feet and 134 kg) came from a point deficit to topple defending champion Pienyu (6 feet 3 inch and 122 kg).

Winning the match, Pienyu fetched INR 1,50,000 as the champion while Pienyu received INR 1,00,000 as the runner-up during the prize distribution after the junior wrestling competition on Wednesday. Both the players represented NASA.

Seyiekhrietuo Yiese of NASA also took down Kekhriezo Nagi from WAYO in the final bout and won the third position title. Seyiekhrietuo received INR 80,000 while Kekhriezo pocketed INR 50,000 as the fourth position holder.

Quarterfinalists Kevisier Dzüvichü (NASA), Mezevil Kiso (SASA), Keneiselie Khawakhrie (WAYO) and Abao Virie (CSA) received INR 5,000 each. 

Meanwhile, ardent wrestling lovers Mr and Mrs Zhavito Rhutso voluntarily donated INR 5,000 each to the seven losing pre-quarterfinalists.

Altogether 60 wrestlers from Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA), Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA), Western Angami Sports Association (WASA) and Chakhroma Sports Association (CSA) competed in the senior wrestling competition.

Earlier, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, advisor of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs attended the inaugural function as the special guest.

He appreciated that the wrestling competition is now being played by dividing the wrestlers into two categories – senior and junior divisions.

Kire noted that it is not wise to say a ‘selfish prayer’ before every competition while asking the players to invoke God’s blessings even upon all their fellow wrestlers.

He advised wrestlers not to engage in unhealthy activities but remained fit by indulging in fitness exercises.

The advisor also asked the sportsmen to choose sports which would best suit their physical ability from where they could proceed far and make a career out of it.

Further, he called upon the sports organisations to popularise and take Naga style wrestling to a higher level by inviting others tribe to participate in the tournament.

A wrestling fan Mhasivotuo won a mithun as the lucky winner of the spot raffle draw which was organised by ASA during the game.

On Friday, the U-16 wrestling meet will commence from 9 am onwards.