NOPG 2024: Zunheboto claims men’s title at Inter-District Boxing Championship

Niuland tops women’s category at the state-level boxing event

DIMAPUR — The Inter-District Boxing Championship, part of the 3rd Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024, concluded at the Archery Ground at Sovima, Chümoukedima, on February 17.

Zunheboto district won the boxing championship in the men’s category, with Wokha and Niuland districts finishing second and Kohima finishing third. Niuland district won the women’s boxing championship, with Chümoukedima coming in second and Kohima taking third place.

A total of 69 male and 26 female boxers participated in the event, which included 12 weight categories (48 kg, 50 kg, 51 kg, 52 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 63.5 kg, 67 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, and 80 kg).

As guest of honour at the closing ceremony, the Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha, acknowledged the challenging nature of boxing as a sport and congratulated the winners.

He said that from the event, players will be chosen to compete in the upcoming North East Olympic Games, and urged the athletes to devote themselves to rigorous training, work hard, and strive to bring laurels to Nagaland.

He noted that the government is committed to fostering talent in Nagaland, aiming to develop individuals capable of achieving the same level of success as Mary Kom and other champions. The objective is to nurture local champions by providing excellent facilities and state-of-the-art resources, thus establishing a supportive environment for aspiring athletes.

Matha expressed confidence in the potential for boxing in Nagaland and hoped that the state would soon witness the emergence of boxing champions, not just at the national level but also making a mark on the international stage in the near future. 

In the first final match of the women’s 48 kg category, Sarita (Chümoukedima  won the gold medal by defeating Lemnon (Wokha) via split decision. Meanwhile, in the women’s 50 kg weight category, Manchen (Wokha) won the gold medal by defeating Tunatoli (Niuland) in the first round with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC).

In the women’s 52 kg weight category; Jamuna (Niuland) won the gold medal by defeating Bandana (Dimapur) by unanimous decision.

In the women’s 54 kg weight category, Sanatho (Niuland) secured the gold medal by achieving a unanimous decision victory over Aben Kohima. In the women’s 57 kg weight category, Preeti (Niuland) claimed the gold medal by defeating Nalangki Wokha with a unanimous decision.

In the women’s 60 kg weight category, Tilotama Kohima secured the gold medal by emerging victorious over Aren (Chümoukedima) through a split decision. In the women’s 70 kg weight category, Monika (Chümoukedima  claimed the gold medal by defeating Ani Lama (Dimapur) with a split decision.

In the men’s 51 kg weight category, Kughaho (Zunheboto) clinched the gold medal by securing a unanimous decision victory over Tangyang Konyak (Mon). In the men’s 54 kg weight category, Besuve Kohima claimed the gold medal by triumphing over Elangthung (Chümoukedima) through a split decision.

In the men’s 48 kg weight category, Bibek Wokha won the gold medal by defeating Mhasivilei Kohima by a split decision. In the men’s 57 kg weight category, Krishna Kohima secured the gold medal by prevailing over Sukleswar (Shamator) with a split decision.

In the men’s 60 kg weight category, Kilemsangba (Niuland) claimed the gold medal by defeating E Janbemo (Wokha) through a split decision. In the men’s 63.5 kg weight category, Myson (Phek) earned the gold medal by achieving a unanimous decision victory against N Ongwang (Mon).

In the men’s 67 kg weight category, Neeraj (Wokha) won the gold medal by defeating Nikito (Zunheboto) with a split decision. In the men’s 75 kg weight category, Avizo (Niuland) won the gold medal by defeating Zho Satu (Phek) by unanimous decision.

In the men’s 80 kg weight category, Deepak (Zunheboto) won the gold medal by defeating Satyam (Niuland) by unanimous decision.