Women in the ring: Naga wrestling’s winning move

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• Final match between Kulungolu Nakro (red waistband) and Vizoseno Kiso (blue waistband) in the under-60 kg women's category at the recently held 15th NWA Open Naga Wrestling Championship. Kiso was declared the winner. (EM Images)

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• KOHIMA — The recent Naga wrestling open championship was different from its previous iterations for multiple reasons. One of them was the fact that this was the first-ever championship event for women at the state level.
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• Introduction of a point system, more wrestlers from tribes outside Tenyimi community, and the formal introduction of weight categories were some of the other differences that marked the 15th Nagaland Wrestling Association Open Championship, which was held on March 28.
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• In all, 129 wrestlers—100 men and 29 women—from ten tribes of Nagaland contested for a prize pool of INR 9.90 lakh.
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• It was around 2 in the afternoon when female wrestlers stepped into the ring after the men’s first and second rounds (two weight categories) were completed.
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• An exhibition event of women wrestling was first held during the Hornbill International Naga Wrestling Championship last year. However, this was the first state-level competition for female wrestlers.

Wrestling fans watching a match between women wrestlers at the recently held 15th NWA open Naga wrestling championship. (EM Images)

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• “It was good that women could also compete in (male-dominated) wrestling. Women should get more opportunities in wrestling,” Haizuyile, a female wrestler hailing from Jalukie in Peren district, told Eastern Mirror.
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• She shared the semi-final positions with her counterpart, Thejaneino Thevo. While maintaining that she did not face too many problems, she identified the absence of a practice partner of similar skill level and physical equivalence as a bit challenging.
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• Her practice partners were her younger sisters since there was no other to practise with.
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• Haizuyile observed there were almost no women wrestlers from her community, Zeliang. “If I get opportunity to play in the future, I am planning to continue playing,” the 20-year-old said.
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• She has been selected to play at the UWW Asia Belt Wrestling Championship to be hosted by Nagaland this year.
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• As a male-dominated sport, wrestling fans’ inclination towards men’s matches even during the event was evident. Spectators chose to take breaks whenever women's matches started, with hundreds leaving their seats altogether.
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• “Women competing in the Naga wrestling championship have been receiving many mixed reactions. But it will be so good if they also support women players as well,” she hoped.
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• Thujosulu Tetseo, from Thuvopisu village in Phek district, was all gratitude to the NWA for including women's competition this time.
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• Initially, when she was introduced to wrestling, she questioned the very idea of women participating in it. But after trying it out, she found it enjoyable and now hopes to make a career out of it.
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• “If there are opportunities and platforms available, then I plan to continue wrestling,” she said.
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• Pursuing her BA fourth semester at Kohima College Kohima, she juggles her studies, dedicates time to community services (NSS), and pursues her passion for wrestling.
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• Tetseo clinched a gold medal in the 63kg category belt wrestling at the AITWPF 12th National Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Championship 2024. She also bagged gold in the under-60 category at the district-level championship.
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• The NWA had earlier announced that ‘Naga wrestling’ will be included in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Asian Belt Wrestling Championship to be hosted by Nagaland this year. Accordingly, additional rules of the point system, inclusion of women (with t-shirts), and weight categories were introduced during the championship.
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• On several occasions, the NWA had clarified that the traditional style of Naga wrestling exclusively for men (without shirts) of three communities—Zeliang, Angami and Chakhesang—would be maintained. However, the nomenclature ‘Naga wrestling’ with the additional rules was necessitated, as it will be one of the main events in the upcoming Asian Belt championship. More than 20 countries are expected to participate in the championship.
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• Vekhriyi Chuzho, former NWA champion and technical secretary of NWA, emphasised the importance of promoting girls in sports, particularly in wrestling, which is already practised by other countries across the globe.
  
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• While traditional norms do not allow females to wrestle or come near males during wrestling matches, it is necessary for girls to play in order to take Naga wrestling forward onto the international arena, he said.
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• “People may not realise the importance of Naga wrestling for now, but once it is developed into an international game, it will have a wider scope,” he said, adding that the NWA is pushing for Naga wrestling to be recognised as an international game.
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• He also pointed out the need for wrestlers to change their old diet.
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• “Earlier, eating meat was greatly encouraged, but the shift now is towards more training and building up oneself. Physical training shows better stamina and has more benefits than eating meat alone.
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• “Wrestling should be a sport that can be played by economically underprivileged people and the students,” he said.
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• For the women's championship, participants were from seven tribes: Pochury, Sema, Rengma, Lotha, Zeliang, Angami, and Chakhesang.
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• “Our Naga women have time and again demonstrated their intellectual, social and athletic powers, proving that they stand as equals alongside men in every field.
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• Their participation in this championship is not just a matter of inclusion; it is a testament to their strength, resilience and determination,” N Toshi Chang, president of Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Union Kohima unit, remarked.
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• He added that the championship marks the dawn of a new era that champions equality and opportunity. It served as a reminder that progress is built on the foundation of inclusivity and respect for one another, he said.