Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 24
Three-day ‘Wrestlemania-2: King of the Ring Series 2013’ commenced here today at Kohima Local Ground (Khouchiezie). 155 wrestlers from Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram will be battling in the “Naga style” wrestling under three categories- Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight, and ultimately vie for the ‘King of the Ring’ title on the third day. For the King of the Ring Series, Naga style wrestling is being redefined for equal opportunity to all the players according to their body structure and size.Speaking at the inaugural function of the three-day championships as the chief guest, minister for Roads & Bridges, Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu lauded the organizers of the event, Elite Entertainment Enterprises (3E) for upholding and preserving the oldest tradition and indigenous sport of the Nagas. While appreciating the efforts to promote the indigenous game at a national as well as international level, the minister urged upon the organizers to look into all the aspects of the game.
Azo said the game of wrestling is a test of a person’s physical strength, abilities and ideas, and he expressed admiration for wrestlers, saying that the wrestling profession is for brave people who have all the three qualities. He went on to highlight that in the olden days, wrestling matches were also held to settle disputes between different villages or groups. To this, he lamented that in the present age, people do not practise such method of settlement of disputes anymore and they use guns instead.
The minister also strongly advocated that Naga wrestlers have to change their habits of eating and follow special diet so as to control their weight while at the same time stay healthy and fit.
He asserted that the traditional game of wrestling should be encouraged throughout Nagaland so as to promote brotherhood amongst the people and a peaceful atmosphere will prevail in the state.
3E managing director, Kethosituo Mepfhüo, in his welcome address, explained that the Nagastyle Wrestlemania (King of the Ring Series) is a concept to provide a categorized form of indigenous Naga wrestling while preserving the essence and the beauty of the traditional sport. He said the categorization of wrestlers was brought about keeping in mind the equal opportunities that wrestlers with different physique can avail to encourage professionalism with the observation that wrestlers with smaller physical build find it hard to make it to the top.
He said that the best wrestlers will be selected to compete in an open category contest which will determine the “best among the best”. Mepfhüo stated that as far as the Naga wrestling scenario is concerned, the Naga Wrestling Association championship title will remain the ultimate dream of every Naga wrestler.
“However, there are certain reasons that call for our traditional version to co-exist with a categorized professional version in order to help indigenous wrestling find its way to the national or international sports scene as all combat sports have a standard of categorization for the sake of fair competition and judgment,” he said. To this end, he expressed hope that wrestling lovers will support and encourage this tournament.
K S Peter Poumai today emerged as the new champion of the Naga Wrestle Mania2 King of the Ring Series 2013. Standing at 5.6 feet and weighing 64 kg, K. S. Peter Poumai s/o Salunü Poumai of Lakhamai village, Senapati district Manipur defeated Kehousalie Kiekho in the final bout by 2-1 to be the champion.
Kehousalie first pulled down Peter in the first round of final bout. But Peter managed to knock his rival down in second and third rounds emerge as the champion. It was a good start for the visiting wrestler Peter as he managed to wrestle out last year’s champion Megovizo Visienyu in the very first round raising hopes amongst the spectators and compelling them to fight the cold weather to see his performance till the final bout.
In the quarter finals, Peter won against his Poumai wrestler L. Tekho while in the semi-final he defeated Chakhesang wrestler Khrütatso Rhakho.
Kehousalie Kiekho (25) standing at 5.5 ft and weighing 62 kgs, s/o Neichümo Kiekho of Kijumetuma village, Kohima district had to satisfied with the second position.
Lifting the champion’s title, Peter bagged cash prize of Rs. 50,000 with citation while runners-up Kehousalie received Rs. 30,000 with citation, semi-finalist Khrütatso and Theyienuyi Luruo received Rs.10,000 each with citation, four quarter finalists received Rs. 5000 each with citation and 16 pre-quarter finalists received Rs. 2000 each with citation.
A total of 83 wrestlers from Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur participated in the light weight category. The awards were given away by Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) president Neikhrolo Khalo.
The other weight categories Middle and Heavy Weight championship would be fought on Friday from 9:00 am onwards.
