KOHIMA — In a
first for the Rengma community, the inaugural open wrestling championship was
held at Tseminyu on Wednesday, coinciding with the Ngada-cum-Mini Hornbill
Festival celebration at the RSA Ground.
The event saw a total of 17 participants from across
Tseminyu district. Sotilo Seb (Tesophenyu Union) emerged as the champion, while
Acheno Semy (Kasha Daho) secured second place. Jochuhyu Semy (Phenshunyu Lojvu)
and Shanilo Kath (Tesophenyu Union) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Speaking to the media after the first wrestling
championship, Rengma Wrestling Association (RWA) president Ruchuyhung Seb said
the association was formed on October 14 and conducted a 10-day intensive
training in collaboration with the Nagaland Wrestling Association, which
provided support in all aspects.
In a short span of time, the RWA was able to organise the
first championship, he said, and expressed gratitude to the Rengma Hoho and
Rengma Sports Association for their support. He also informed that the RWA will
compete alongside other wrestling associations in Nagaland.
As a first-timer, the association faced many challenges in
mobilising funds, gettingplayers,
securing technical experts—since there are no renowned players in the
community—and engaging coaches and trainers, he said.
Andrew Kent, vice president of the RWA, shared the
association's future plans, stating they would encourage participants,
especially the younger ones, to take part in the sport. Those interested in
competing at the state level will be encouraged by the association.
The best players from the first wrestling championship are
likely to represent the tribe in the Hornbill Wrestling competition, although
this will depend on whether they meet the required criteria.
Kegwalo Kemp, secretary of the RWA, shared that they had
heard stories of their grandparents who used to wrestle but had never seen it
in their lifetime. He added that wrestling is like a new sport for the
community, as it is being revived after generations have passed.
The wrestling match was followed by the Bamboo Grease Pole
Climbing event, where Kasha Daho (Range) and Kandi Range took first and second
place, respectively. The Strength Display with Bamboo Pole was won by Kasha
Daho and Phenshunyu Lojvu, securing first and second positions, respectively.
In the Bamboo Stick Walking event, the winners were Kithagha
(first) and Kasha Daho (second), while the High Kick event saw Tseminyu Union
take first place and Tsokhinzun second.
