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DIMAPUR: Venuzo Dawhuo from Thenyizu village in Phek district won the 14th Naga Wrestling Association (NWA) Open Naga Wrestling Championship title after defeating Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü in an intense final match at State Stadium Dimapur on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Naga wrestling sensation took down his opponent in the first bout before Pienyü fought back and equalized in the second bout. However, Dawhuo won the third and final bout to win the championship title again.
Dawhuo had lifted the title in 2015 and 2021 under the open wrestling category.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The champion was awarded a cash prize of INR 2,10,000, while the runner-up took home INR 1,60,000.
Huluyi D Vadeo, who won the third prize received a cash prize of INR 1,10,000, while the fourth position holder Thejapfütuo Chüsi received INR 80,000 and INR 10,000 each for all the quarter finalists. Citations were also given them along with the cash rewards.
As many as 56 wrestlers, including one each from Ao, Sumi and Lotha communities, as well as a non-Naga participated in the competition on Saturday.
Earlier in the programme, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, highlighted the history of Naga wrestling to the crowd gathered at the State Stadium Dimapur to witnessed the competition.
While maintaining that wrestlers were by far the most physically tough and mentally determined athletes, he urged the young wrestlers to re-ignite their determination and zeal.
He also asserted that the wrestling event, being organised for the first time outside Kohima district, will be a starting point to strengthen not only the Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliang wrestling associations but also the Naga people in general.
Nagaland government has been providing constant support to NWA by granting annual grant-in-aid through Youth Resource and Sports department besides providing logistic support and financial assistance during various foreign trips while representing India, he said.
Just recently, the state government had approved INR 50 crore for construction of a world class stadium at Tsiesema under Kohima district by acquiring 14 acres of land, he added.
It may be mentioned that the event was organised by Naga Wrestling Association (NWA), hosted by Zeliang Wrestling Association and co-hosted by Kuda Village Council.
