Three Nagaland Pencak Silat fighters qualify to represent India at the World Senior Pencak Silat Championship in Uzbekistan.
DIMAPUR — Three Pencak Silat athletes from Nagaland, Kitenlo K Thono, Liike Kibami, and Avikali V Sheqi, have officially qualified to represent team India at the 21st World Senior Pencak Silat Championship.
The global martial arts event will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from December 5 to 12 at the Martial Arts Palace Indoor Stadium, Olympic City Complex, hosted by the Uzbekistan Pencak Silat Federation alongside the International Pencak Silat Federation.
According to an update, all three fighters will compete in the Tanding (sparring) category in their respective weight divisions, with Kitenlo K Thono competing in the male under-95 kg, Liike Kibami in the female under-55 kg, and Avikali V Sheqi in the female under-70 kg categories alongside other contingent members from the Indian Pencak Silat Federation, according to a press release from the Nagaland Pencak Silat Association (NPSA).
The Nagaland contingent heads to Uzbekistan, backed by continental track records.
Kitenlo K Thono enters the tournament as a reigning silver medallist from the 9th Asian Senior Pencak Silat Championship held in Vietnam in 2025, while Avikali V Sheqi won a bronze medal at the 10th Asian Senior Pencak Silat Championship in Vietnam earlier in 2026. Alongside Liike Kibami, the trio represents the rising strength of Indian Pencak Silat on the international circuit.
On November 11, the selected athletes and members of the NPSA called upon Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) Abu Metha at the Games Village in Chümoukedima during the ongoing Nagaland State and Para Games 2026.
Commending the athletes for earning their place in the Indian national squad, Abu Metha urged them to compete with grit and determination to bring laurels to Nagaland and the country. Extending his prayers and warm wishes, he reaffirmed his support as they prepare for the championship.
Speaking on behalf of the association, NPSA President Khevishe Sema and association members conveyed their gratitude to Chief Minister of Nagaland and NOA President Neiphiu Rio, alongside Abu Metha, for including Pencak Silat in the Nagaland Olympic Games 2024, North East Games 2024, and the Nagaland State and Para Games 2026. The association credited their leadership and commitment to grassroots development for reshaping Nagaland’s sporting ecosystem.
The NPSA also extended thanks to Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports S Keoshu Yimkhiung and Director of Youth Resources and Sports Kethosituo Sekhose for their sustained backing and encouragement in propelling the state's athletes onto the world stage.