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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 27 (EMN): Twenty-two-year-old Atuo Tevo, weighing 90 kg and standing 5.10 feet, defeated 21-year-old Ruokuovituo Lese (78 kg, 5.9 feet) to emerge as the champion of the 60th Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA) senior Naga wrestling on Thursday evening in Kohima.
Playing an intense final match in front of a capacity crowd, who braved the cold at Khuochiezie, Tevo from Kidima village won both the two bouts over Lese, another heavyweight wrestler from Mima village to claim the coveted title.
22-year-old Neithongulie Kuotsu (85 kg, 5.10 feet) from Phesama village claimed the third position, while 25-year-old Sweyiekhül Khatso (78 kg, 5.9 feet) from Jakhama clinched the fourth position title.
Mhaneikholie Kuotsu, Keduolhousie Kuotsu and Ketoulhou Mejura from Phesama village and Kekhrie Yhoshü from Kigwema village made it to the quarterfinal round.
Altogether, 45 wrestlers representing various villages in the southern Angami region took part in the wrestling competition for the top honours.
Earlier, speaking at the competition, Zale Neikha, advisor of Youth Resources and Sports, reiterated a statement of the chief minister of Nagaland, informing that they are coming up with a police sports battalion to facilitate sportspersons.
He emphasised on the need to preserve and promote the traditional wrestling amongst other tribes of Nagaland.
Apprising how wrestlers from the state came back with laurels after participating at a national level belt wrestling competitions sometime back, he underscored the potential of winning more accolades in the international arenas by Nagas once belt wrestling is introduced in the Olympics as the game is similar with Naga style wrestling.
Stating that a new variant of Covid-19 called ‘Omicron’ is being detected across the country, he reminded about the need to take utmost precautions. He informed that because of slight improvements in the situation, events are being held in the state. However, the pandemic is not yet over, he cautioned.
Maintaining that various plans and programmes are in the pipeline for the upliftment of the youth and sportspersons, he informed about the possibility of conducting the Nagaland mini-Olympic, provided the situation is favourable.
On Friday, the junior category (U-16) wrestling will begin from 9:30 am at Khuochiezie.
Badminton and Indoor games will commence simultaneously at the state Indoor Stadium on the same day.
The athletic events will be held from Feb. 1 to the 4th at Jakhama local ground and Kimipfüphe ground in Kigwema.
President of SASA, Rokovizo Meze requested spectators to join them while they conduct the sports meet at different locations.