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Our Correspondent
Kisama, Dec. 4 (EMN): 24 years old Vekutho Soho from Phek district emerged the champion of the 13th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling after defeating Mhasilhousie Nagi in the final match at the amphitheatre of the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama on Wednesday, December 4.
Soho, the runner-up of Nagaland Wrestling Association Championship in 2018, came from a point deficit to beat Nagi, a strong opponent to walk home as the new champion.
In the first bout, Nagi took down Soho. However, Soho came back stronger in the second and the final bout, toppling Nagi twice to claim the championship.
Winning the final match, Soho received a cash prize of INR 1,20,000 while Nagi received INR 80,000 as the runner-up, with citations.
Losing semi-finalists Menuosetuo Yiese of Kohima village and Kezhavizo Thevo of Chedema village received INR 30,000 each and citations.
In the tourist category, Dushyant Kumar from Jharkhand became the champion after defeating Ankit Singh of Delhi in the final match.
Dushyant walked away with INR 10,000 as the champion while second-placed Ankit received INR 7,000.
Rupesh Sunar from Nepal and Sudhir Kumar from Jharkhand both pocketed INR 3,000 each as semi-finalists.
Dr Neiphrezo Keditsu, chairman of Nagaland Khadi and Village Industries Board, handed over the prizes to the winners as the event's special guest.
Altogether, 36 top wrestlers from Angami Sports Association, Chakhesang Wrestling Association, Zeliang Wrestling Association, and tourist wrestlers competed for various titles.