Nagaland Judo Association holds selection trials for Sub-Junior National Judo Championship

MOKOKCHUNG — The Nagaland Judo Association (NJA) conducted its open selection trials for the Sub-Junior National Judo Championship 2025–26 under the supervision and guidance of the Judo Federation of India (JFI) at the Multipurpose Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on November 1.

Observer Pranab Saha, general secretary of the Tripura Judo Association and an official observer for JFI, attended the event. “Kudos to NJA for this bold step in organising trials,” Saha lauded, noting that Nagaland currently has only a few judokas compared to other northeastern states.

While describing the overall performance as “average but promising”, he highlighted the need for technical improvements among the judo players. He urged the NJA to arrange a special coaching camp for the selected judokas to enhance their technical abilities and overall preparedness before the national championship.

The Nagaland Judo Association acknowledged the feedback and expressed its commitment to organising a special coaching camp for the selected judokas. Judokas from several districts participated in the trials.

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Following the competition, the Nagaland Judo Association announced the list of selected athletes who will represent the state at the Sub-Junior National Judo Championship 2025–26, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from November 16 to the 20th.

The boys’ judokas brigade will feature Imben (-30 kg), Miponger (-35 kg), Lieve (-40 kg), Impangkokba (-45 kg), Yeheka Chophy (-50 kg), Lanutemjen (-55 kg), and Imnaakum (-66 kg). In the girls’ category, the state will be represented by Bolika (-36 kg), Adalyn (-44 kg), Nighali (-48 kg), Tolito Ayeh (-57 kg), and Avyrang (-63 kg).

The special coaching camp for the selected judokas will commence on November 3, with the team departing for Hyderabad by November 12 under manager Rongsentoshi Jamir, NJA vice president, and coach Somnath Chakraborty.

Beyond the selections, a grading examination was conducted during the event where 25 yellow belts, five orange belts, and 14 green belts were achieved by judokas. The event concluded with a brief felicitation ceremony where the certificates and belts were distributed to the achievers.

The Nagaland Judo Association expressed appreciation to all technical personnel, participants, coaches, and officials for their active involvement and encouraged the selected sub-junior team to give their best performance at the upcoming national championship.