The inaugural Nagaland State Judo Championship has brought together 472 athletes from 10 districts in what organisers describe as a first state-level platform for competitive judo in the state.
Held from September 10 to 12 at Eden Academy, Mokokchung, the championship brought athletes from Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Dimapur, Kohima, Phek, Chümoukedima, Meluri, Mon, Tuensang and Tseminyu into competition across age and weight categories.
Mokokchung finished atop the medal tally with 47 gold, 39 silver and 42 bronze medals. The host district also fielded by far the largest contingent. Zunheboto finished second with 14 gold, three silver and three bronze, while Dimapur was third with seven gold and two bronze.
A total of 71 gold, 47 silver and 50 bronze medals were awarded across the various age and weight categories during the championship.
The closing ceremony featured three senior finals. In the senior women’s -63 kg category, Jyoti Devi of Dimapur won gold, with Nukshikala Jamir of Mokokchung finishing second and Mannon W Konyak of Mon taking third place.
In the senior men’s +100 kg category, Amandeep Singh of Dimapur claimed the gold medal, followed by Venuzo Dawhuo of Phek in second place. In the senior men’s -100 kg category, Deenbandhu of Dimapur emerged winner, while Huluyi D. Vadeo of Phek finished runner-up.
The championship also recognised outstanding performers through Best Judo Player awards across different age and weight categories. Among those recognised were Aranya Das, Edikumla, Rongsennungba N. Longkumer, Pololi Chopi, Nighali Ayemi, Akumtoshi Imchen, Yasali Supong, Y. Brijesh Singha, Kaushik Kumar Naik, Lendiyala Ruth Imchen, Meerai Yadav and Jyoti Devi.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr Kevezai Tureng, Director of the College Development Council, Nagaland University, Lumami, congratulated the NJA on conducting the first state-level judo championship and stressed the need for a structured approach to developing the sport.
Dr Tureng also called for promising judokas emerging from the championship to be identified and provided focused training and sustained support.
The championship was conducted with the support of four Judo Federation of India technical referees/black belt holders and 16 trained technical officials from NJA, along with more than 40 other officials and in-charges.
The NJA also provided lodging for around 90 players and officials for three days, with breakfast and dinner, while lunch and tea arrangements were made for more than 500 people. Registration for the championship was free of cost.
