WOKHA — Nchumbemo Patton emerged champion of the third Winter Open Airgun shooting competition (break barrel) held at Likya community hall, Wokha town, on Thursday.
Mhaden Murry and Yanbemo Odyuo secured the second and third positions, respectively.
The champion took home cash prize of INR 20,000, while the first and second runners-up received 15,000 and 7,000, respectively. The top ten shooters were also awarded INR 1,500 each.
A total of 28 shooters took part in the competition, which witnessed three rounds of elimination and a final round.
Earlier, commandant of the 40 Assam Rifles, Lt. Col. DS Kushwah, the chief guest, in his address, said that Nagas were born athletic with a robust physique and expressed optimism that, in the days to come, the participants would excel even at the national level.
Kushwah urged the youths to consider joining the armed forces and said the Army also provides premier coaching institutes in games and sports.
Taking the case of India ace shooter Neeraj Chopra, he said Chopra was also trained at the Army institute in Pune.
The organisers informed that they aim to identify aspiring shooters who can participate in the state and national levels by giving them a hands-on experience.