In a major achievement, the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) team secured 22 medals at the 13th All India Traditional Wrestling & Pankration Federation (AITWPF) National Wrestling Championship 2026, held from January 9 to 12 in Mapusa, Goa.
NWA Joint Secretary Kuzhovesa Soho said that, for the first time, Naga Wrestling was introduced as a medal event at the national championship, with the aim of promoting it at the international level in upcoming competitions.
The NWA thanked Naga wrestling enthusiasts for their support in helping place Naga Wrestling as a medal event at the national level. Fifteen states participated in the Naga Wrestling event. Medal winners by state included Assam – 17, Delhi – 15, Haryana – 10, Jammu & Kashmir – 5, Jharkhand – 1, Kerala – 6, Manipur – 9, Meghalaya – 26, Rajasthan – 13, Telangana – 4, Tripura – 4, West Bengal – 4, Maharashtra – 9, Punjab – Nil, and Nagaland – 9.
The NWA appreciated the efforts of AITWPF President Omarmukhtar Tamboli for accepting the proposal to include Naga Wrestling as a medal event and to support its inclusion in international championships. The association also thanked the Government of Nagaland and the Department of Youth Resources & Sports for financial and logistical support, helping realise the long-awaited dream of Naga wrestling enthusiasts.
Altogether, five male wrestlers and four female wrestlers from Nagaland, along with seven NWA officials, participated in the championship. Team Nagaland is expected to return home on January 13.
