2 Naga boys to compete in IFA Championship

KOHIMA — Two youths from Nagaland – Vethozo Lohe and Avilie Zuyie – have been included in the Indian Team at the forthcoming International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) Championship 2023, to be held from September 25 to October 1 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 19-year-old Lohe informed Eastern Mirror that he would be competing in the 78 kg below (youth) and Avilie Zuyie in the 86 kg below (youth) categories.

Lohe said he has been exercising for the past few days and will continue till one week prior to the competition. His exercises include lifting of 71 kg in 10 reps (heavy) and lighter exercises. He added that he will be taking a complete one-week rest prior to the competition.

Around seven players from Nagaland were selected to participate in the world championship for Team India. However, except for Lohe and Zuyie, the others will not be able to take part in the championship due to passport issues, he said.

A total of 51 athletes from across India have been selected to compete at the IFA championship. The players were selected after they won gold and silver medals at the National Arm Wrestling Championship organised by the Board of Control for Arm Wrestling earlier in May this year.

Hailing from Phek, Lohe is a two-time national arm wrestling champion. He is also the Indian Junior overall rank one, gold medallist in both the senior and junior left (hand) and right (hand) as well as in the youth category (both right and left hand).

The duo will be leaving for Malaysia on September 24.

Meanwhile, on September 14, Lohe sought to raise INR 60,000 for his travel expenses through crowd-funding which received a positive response from the people. The target amount was collected and was closed in less than 24 hours. It was learnt that he would write the names of the donors at the back of his t-shirt that he would be wearing during the competition.

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