Kohima, 26 March (MTNews): Amidst thunderous applause and fierce competition, the 29th Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) Championship at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Tuesday witnessed the rise of a new champion: Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü.
This victory marks the 25-year-old Pienyü’s fourth title this year, having previously secured victories in competitions ranging from Kohima Village to the Northern Sports Angami Sports Association wrestling meet to the Angami Sports Association wrestling meet, culminating in the Nagaland championship.
Pienyü defeated Vemele Thingo to claim the title for the first time, while the defending champion, Venuzo Dawhuo, succumbed to the new champion in the semifinal round.
Hailing from Kohima village, Pienyü weighs 136 kilograms and stands 6.3 feet tall. He is the son of the late Thepfusanyü Pienyü. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Vemele Thingo, representing the Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), hails from Thipuzu village, weighs 105 kilograms, and stands 6.2 feet tall, and is the son of Dikhamo Thingo.
In the third-place match, Venuzo Dawhuo secured victory over Rukukhoto Khusoh.
As the champion, Pienyü received a prize of Rs. 3.2 Lakhs along with the Lt Velahü Puro Memorial Trophy and INR 30,000 with citations. Vemele Thingo received Rs. 2.20 Lakhs for his runner-up position, while Dawhuo and Khusoh, securing third and fourth positions respectively, received Rs. 1.50 Lakhs and Rs. 1.20 Lakhs along with citations.
The Angami Sports Association (ASA) emerged as the Group Champion with 142 points, earning INR 30,000. A total of 54 top wrestlers, comprising 18 each from the Angami Sports Association (ASA), Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA), and Zeliang Wrestling Association (ZWA), competed in the championship.
During the opening ceremony, Adilet Bayaman Uulu, President of the World Alysh Federation, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Additionally, making history in NWA, nonagenarian Mamho Chakruno from Chedema village attended the championship as the ambassador for the first time.