The Sumi Wrestling Association (SWA) organized its first Sumi Wrestling Championship-cum-Selection Trial for the forthcoming Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) Provisional Unit Championship 2026 at Pughoboto Local Ground on February 25.
A total of 14 wrestlers (Male) competed in the championship, out of which eight were selected to represent SWA in the upcoming state-level competition. In the final bout, Avika Zhimo of Ighanumi Village defeated Pukiye G Shohe of Shesulimi to secure the title, while Inito Swu of Ighanumi defeated Bosco Swu of Mukalimi to finish in third place.
The eight wrestlers selected to represent SWA are Avika Zhimo, Pukiye G Shohe, Inito Swu, Bosco Swu, Itobo Zhimo, Botovi Achumi, Hokito Zhimo and Ahobo Kiho. The Provisional Units under NWA include Sumi, Rengma, Lotha, Chang, Pochury and Sangtam tribes, and the championship will offer prize categories of Rs 2 lakh for first place, Rs 1 lakh for second, Rs 80,000 for third, Rs 60,000 for fourth, Rs 10,000 each for quarter-finalists and Rs 5,000 each for all participants.
The program was chaired by Y Toniho Wotsa, Treasurer SWA, while invocation was offered by Ikuto Swu, Associate Pastor of Pughoboto Town Baptist Church, and the oath-taking ceremony was administered by Khumtsa Swu, Vice President and Technical Head SWA.
Special guest Akükau Qhutovi Tenna, President Sumi Aphuyemi Kükami Hoho and Vice President Sumi Kukami Hoho, appreciated the initiative of the association in promoting wrestling and encouraging young athletes within the community to “let’s start working hard from today onward and at least earn good name for our community and make it proud.”
Speaking at the event, SWA President N. Kitoshe Kiho stated that the association, established on July 30, 2024, aims to promote wrestling within the Sumi community and foster unity through sports. He highlighted that despite being a newly formed organization, SWA has participated in events such as the Hornbill International Festival 2024 and 2025 and the NWA Championship 2025, while the present championship served as a selection trial for the first NWA Provisional Unit Championship (Wrestling Festival) scheduled to be held on March 6, at Kohima Local Ground.
Following the program, Kiho appealed to the Sumi community to support and promote wrestling, stating that the sport has the potential to grow into a professional discipline and encouraging young athletes to actively participate and contribute to the development of wrestling in the region.