Nlumrai creates history becoming first Zeliang to win second place; Assamese & Ao debut entrance
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, March 12
A teenage boy standing at 5’10”, Venuzo Dawhuo, s/o Nezohü Dawhuo hailing from Thenyizu village under Phek district today emerged as the youngest champion of Open Naga Wrestling Championship organized by Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) at Kohima Local Ground.
In one of the best final match of the Naga style wrestling in the recent past, Venuzo, the teenager weighing 75 kgs though lost the first bout against giant slayer Nlumrai Hegwang from Zeliang tribe, stood up to beat knock him in the next two bouts and lift the coveted title of the 9thedition of Open Naga Wrestling Championship.
The teenage boy also had a narrow escape in the semi-finals, wherein he wrestled against senior and tricky wrestler from Mezoma village, Rokuosielie Khawakhrie (35).Winning the second position, Nlumrai Hegwang (23) s/o Akieng Hegwang from Mpai village, Peren district standing at 5’10” and weighing 74 kgs has created history by becoming the first ever wrestler from Zeliang community to have entered into the final of any NWA organized championship.
He not only entered the finals of today’s event, but became the giant slayer and main attraction as he knocked defending champion of 8thedition of the ONWC (2013) Pfusato Tetseo in straight bouts of the semi-finals. In the final match too, he surprising knocked Venuto in the first bout but failed to remain unbeaten.
Rokuosielie Khawakhrie (35) s/o Phelo-u Khawakhrie of Mezoma village Kohima district also knocked the defending champion Pfusato Tetseo (21) s/o Revusu Tetseo of Khulazu Bawe, Phek district to win the third place.
The champion Venuto was honoured with cash award of Rs. 1.5 lakh with citation while runners-up Nlumrai received Rs. 1 lakh, third place winner Rokuosilie bagged Rs. 75,000 while fourth place Pfusato pocketed Rs. 50,000 respectively with citations.
Besides, the three usual tribes Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliang participating in the championship which had a total of 77 wrestlers, this edition had a total seven tribes from Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. There were one each wrestler from Assamese, Ao, Mao and Poumai all of whom lost in the first round itself.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo graced the inaugural function as chief guest while Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, New & Renewable Energy and Music Task Force, Khriehu Liezietsu was the guest of honour of the closing function. Governor PB Acharya along with his wife Kavita Acharya also witnessed the event.
Compared by Welo-ü Khalo the inaugural function commenced with Pastor of Chakhesang Baptist Church Ministers’ Hill, Wepre Mero saying the invocation while host Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) president Thepusayi Nienu delivered the welcome address and NWA president Neikhrolo Khalo delivered the presidential address.
Vice president CWA Neitshupe Wetsah administered oath to the wrestlers.
