Nagaland Wrestling Association wins 22 medals at the 13th AITWPF National Wrestling Championship in Goa; Naga Wrestling introduced as a medal event.
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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) team bagged 22 medals at the All India Traditional Wrestling and Pankration Federation (AITWPF) National Wrestling Championship 2026 held from January 9 to the 12th at Mapusa, Goa.
According to NWA joint secretary Kuzhovesa Soho, Naga Wrestling was introduced in this championship as a medal event competition discipline at the national level for the first time, with an aim to carry it forward to the international arena.
The NWA thanked Naga wrestling lovers for their cooperation and support. Fifteen states participated in the Naga wrestling event. The medal tally for the Naga wrestling event included Assam (17), Delhi (15), Haryana (10), Jammu & Kashmir (5), Jharkhand (1), Kerala (6), Manipur (9), Meghalaya (26), Rajasthan (13), Telangana (4), Tripura (4), West Bengal (4), Maharashtra (9), and Nagaland (9).
The NWA appreciated the efforts of AITWPF president, Omarmukhtar Tamboli, for accepting the proposal to include Naga Wrestling as a medal event discipline. It also thanked the Government of Nagaland and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports for financial assistance and logistic support.
Altogether, five men wrestlers and four women wrestlers from Nagaland joined the championship, along with seven NWA officials. The team is expected to return to Nagaland on January 13.
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In Naga Wrestling (Senior Men), Venu Vadeo won gold in the +100 kg category, Thuputha Hesuh secured gold in the 90 kg division, Seyiejalie Gwirie claimed gold in the 80 kg category, Wecho Wetsah earned gold in the 70 kg division, and Thehiechulie Metha took gold in the 65 kg category.
In Naga Wrestling (Senior Women), Vikehenuo Zumvu won gold in the +70 kg category, Haizuyile Zeliang captured gold in the 65 kg division, and Vekhonielu Curhah secured gold in the 55 kg category.
Competing in the Under-17 Girls (Naga Wrestling) category, Lutholu Vezuh earned a silver medal in the +60 kg weight class.
Nagaland continued its dominance in Belt Wrestling (Senior Men), where Venu Vadeo claimed gold in the +100 kg category, Thuputha Hesuh won gold in the 90 kg division, Seyiejalie Gwirie secured gold in the 80 kg category, and Wecho Wetsah earned gold in the 70 kg division. Thehiechulie Metha added to the tally with a silver medal in the 65 kg category.
In Belt Wrestling (Senior Women), Vikehenuo Zumvu won gold in the +70 kg category, Haizuyile Zeliang secured gold in the 65 kg division, and Vekhonielu Curhah claimed gold in the 55 kg category. Lutholu Vezuh finished with a silver medal in the +60 kg category.
In MAS Wrestling (Senior Men), Thuputha Hesuh continued his strong performance by winning gold in the 90 kg category.
Meanwhile, MAS Wrestling (Senior Girls) saw Haizuyile Zeliang take gold in the 65 kg category, Vekhonielu Curhah secure gold in the 55 kg division, and Lutholu Vezuh earn a silver medal in the +60 kg category.