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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 17 (EMN): Three Chin wrestlers from United States -- Biak Hmun Sang, Van Ceu Hmung and Uk Lian Thang -- have arrived in the state capital to participate in the coveted Naga Wrestle Mania-9 King of the Ring Series 2022 scheduled to take place from October 20 to the 22nd at Hockey ground, IG Stadium complex in Kohima.
The event is being presented by Vuto Hyundai and organised by 3E Nagaland under the aegis of Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA).
Briefing the media at de Oriental Grand upon their arrival, 26-year-old Sang, who is the current Chin wrestling heavyweight champion, exuded confidence that he is here to lift the championship belt in both heavyweight and King of the Ring categories.
Expressing delight on being accorded a warm welcome, the wrestler said that he has been looking forward to visiting Nagaland, and did a thorough research on Naga tradition and wrestling online before coming to the state.
"I came here to take away the belts," said Sang, who is popularly known for defeating former champion Rung Lian Ceu in the Chin wrestling championship.
Ceu, who is also a Chin wrestler, participated in the 12th Open Naga Wrestling 2019 and clinched the third position.
Sang, who would be competing in the heavyweight division during the event, said that he has been practicing for six months and is expecting a "good match". He explained that there is a similarity of about 95% between Chin and Naga wrestling.
"I studied Naga wrestling well so it won't be a problem for me," he said.
Both 24-year-old Hmung (current Chin lightweight champion) and 26-year-old Thang (former Chin heavyweight champion) -- expressed excitement to participate in the event.
The three wrestlers are being accompanied by Thawngzapum Lian as the team manager, Tial Mang Lian as the assistant manager and Lian Thawng Ngun Hei as the media officer.
Managing director of 3E Nagaland, Kethosituo Elvis Mepfhuo, informed that the lightweight championship will be held on October 20 followed by the heavyweight event on the 21st while the selected wrestlers from the two divisions will vie for the King of the Ring championship y on the 23rd.
It was informed that the final weigh-in ceremony will be held on October 18 at 12 noon at the venue, after which the exact number of wrestlers will be determined for the two categories -- lightweight and heavyweight.
The weigh-in ceremony will include unveiling of the three championship belts that will be up for grabs- - lightweight, heavyweight and King of the Ring championship titles.
Besides current Naga wrestling stars, it was updated that the event will comprise all the top three positions holders of the last King of the Ring Championship 2021 including Menuosetuo Yiese, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyii and Kezhavizo Thevo while a host of old and new title contenders would also be part of the competition.
One day-one, the matches will commence from 10 am onwards while on day-two and three, the competition will begin from 12 noon.
For wrestling fans from Kohima and nearby places, venue tickets will be available on the event days. The organisers informed that there will be only one category of venue ticket priced at INR 300 (chair ticket).
The event will also be streamed live on pay-per-view (PPV) at 3enagaland.in for wrestling fans to watch for INR 300 per day or INR 750 for three days.
It said that taxi service will be available between High School junction and IG Stadium.
Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Associate Vice President of Athletics Federation of India and Secretary General Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha will attend the inaugural session at 10 am.