Kohima, Jan. 2 (EMN): 19-year-old Menuosetuo Yiese of Kohima village became champion of the 59th Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA) wrestling meet held at Khuchiezie (Kohima local ground) on Fri. Feb. 2.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 114 kg, son of late Khrielatuo Yiese, Menuosetuo Yiese downed wrestler Kekhriengulie Whuorie also of Kohima village in the final to lift the title. 30-year-old Kekhriengulie is the son of late Ruokuozolie Whuorie. He weighs 88 kg and is 5 feet 7 inches tall. The champion Menuosetuo Yiese received a cash prize of INR 80000 while the runners-up Kekhriengulie Whuorie pocketed INR 50000.
On the way to the final, Menuosetuo Yiese defeated the new wrestling champion of Kohima village sports meet Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü by winning both the bouts in the semi-final match.
3rd position Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü was adjudged as the winner after his opponent Seyiekhrietuo Yiese failed to turn up due to injuries. The third and fourth placed winners received INR 30,000 and INR 20,000. While all the top four wrestlers were from Group A (Kohima Village).
The quarterfinalist namely Vizosie-o Metha (Group D), Vizakietuo Suohu (Group A), Kezhavizo Thevo (Group B), Kevitsü Rutsa(Group A) received INR 4000.
While NASA ‘A’ (Kohima village) emerged as the group point winners in Naga wrestling. A total of 61 wrestlers from four groups took part in the championship.
Earlier Pelesielie Khezhie chairman for North East Taekwondo Association attended the inaugural function as the chief guest, while Atuo Mezhür, president for Nagaland Football Association as the guest of honour for the valedictory programme.
A total of 18 players including the top eight wrestlers were selected to represent NASA for the upcoming ASA wrestling meet. The other selected wrestlers are: Khrievotuo Sekhose (Group A), Seyiekhrietuo Yiese (Group A), Khrievotuo Sekhose (Group A), Kevitsii Rutsa (Group A), Khrietsonyii Whuorie (Group A), Thepfukhotuo Medom (Group B), Kikruvilie Zumu (Group D), Keneikhrielie Yhome (Group A), Thepfuchiituo Khrodi (Group C), Khriesetuo Sogotsu (Group D), Vikeduolie Lhousi (Group C) and Petekhrietuo Pienyii - (Group B)
Meanwhile, in freestyle wrestling (men), 14 wrestlers including senior and junior category were also selected to represent NASA in the upcoming ASA wrestling meet.