Reigning champion Venuzo Dawhuo lifted the champion title of the 31st General Wrestling Meet of the Chokri Area Wrestling Association (CAWA) held at Phusachodu village in Phek.
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PHUSACHODU — Reigning champion Venuzo Dawhuo lifted the champion title of the 31st General Wrestling Meet of the Chokri Area Wrestling Association (CAWA) held at Phusachodu village in Phek district on Wednesday.
This feat secured him a record in CAWA history, having won the title consecutively in the 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2026 meets.
Dawhuo, aged 29, weighing 100 kg and standing 5.10 feet tall, is from Thenyizu village. He received a cash prize of INR 1.5 lakh along with the Champion Belt in memory of Rev. Pusazo Chuzho.
Twenty-three-year-old Swuyieveyi Nakro, standing 5.10 feet tall and weighing 98 kg, from Chetheba town, won the second position and pocketed INR 1 lakh.
Also read: 31st General Wrestling Meet of CAWA in Phek from Jan. 14
Thirty-five-year-old Besuhveto Cumu, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 100 kg, from Phusachodu village, won the third position and received INR 70,000. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Krosuhu Thuluo, standing 5.9 feet tall and weighing 76 kg, also from Phusachodu village, won the fourth position and received a cash prize of INR 40,000.
In the Under-15 category, 14-year-old Beceve Vero, from Thipuzu village, standing 5.3 feet tall and weighing 63 kg, won the champion title and was awarded INR 40,000.
Vezhopa Dawhuo (14), from Thenyizu village, standing 5.9 feet tall and weighing 61 kg, won the second position and received INR 25,000.
The third position holder, 14-year-old Cükrovezo Resu, weighing 58 kg and standing 5.7 feet tall, from Chetheba, received INR 15,000, while 14-year-old Vetsucho Kotso, from Phusachodu, weighing 53 kg and standing 5.8 feet tall, won the fourth position and pocketed INR 5,000.
Attending the opening ceremony as the special guest, Advisor for CAWD and Taxes, Kudecho Khamo, called for concerted efforts and collective support for sportspersons.
He noted that changing times demand a shift in perspective, with sports emerging as a viable profession. He urged sportspersons to pursue their disciplines with consistency, commitment, and a scientific approach.
“Sports must be looked at with a different perspective today. With discipline, hard work, and the right approach, success is achievable,” he said.
Khamo appreciated the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) for its commitment to promoting wrestling across Nagaland and hailed the leadership of NWA President Vivolie Kezo.
Referring to the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), Khamo said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of the NOA, sports are being actively promoted. He revealed that the state government is mulling a sports policy aimed at creating greater opportunities for sportspersons.
Guest of honour and NWA President Vivolie Kezo stressed that sportspersons should be collectively supported by society.
He said the NWA has been striving to provide fair opportunities by introducing weight-category wrestling. He informed that in the forthcoming session, wrestlers from nine Naga tribes are expected to participate.
Kezo highlighted that Naga-style wrestling was recently introduced at the national level during a championship in Goa.
Stating that Naga wrestling is recognised by the United World Wrestling (UWW), Kezo expressed confidence that the sport has strong potential for international recognition. Such a development, he added, would open up opportunities for employment as coaches, referees and sports management officials.
He urged every village to set up wrestling arenas to encourage wider participation and systematic training of players, while assuring that the NWA is actively working with the state government to create employment opportunities for sports persons.
Earlier, the presidential address was delivered by Hukupa Ciekhan. A new team of CAWA was announced, led by Vekhozo Tunyi as president, Vepozo Nyekha as vice president, and Neshuyi Rhakho as general secretary.