Menuosetuo Yiese wins 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet

Menuosetuo Yiese wins 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet

Menuosetuo Yiese wins 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet

Wrestlers in action during 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet 2019 at Kohima on March 7.  56 wrestlers from Nagaland, three from Myanmar, 2 from Jharkhand and 1 from US joined the tournament. (Morung Photo)

 

Ceu from US wins 3rd place, best tactical wrestler award

 

Chizokho Vero
Kohima | March 7 


20 year old Menuosetuo Yiese today beat Venuzo Dawhuo in the final bout to emerge as champion of the 12th Open Naga Wrestling meet 2019 here amidst thunderous cheers from around 20,000 spectators. Son of Lt.Khrielatuo Yiese from Kohima village, he pocketed a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh.


Standing 6 feet and weighting 118 kg, Yiese overpower Mezivil Kiso in the first bout. In the second round, he defeated Viphrezo Mejura. Yiese found the quarter finals berth after defeating Atuo Tevo in the pre-quarter finals round. In the quarter finals, he defeated Keneiselie Khawakhrie and entered the finals after defeating Vekuyi Medeo in the semi finals.


 
Venuzo Dawhuo- 1st runner-up


Ist runner up – 22 years Venuzo Dawhuo (2015 Open Naga wrestling champion) walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 1.50 lakh.


Son of  Nezohu Dawhuo from Thenyizu village, Dawhuo entered the second round after winning first bout against Sekhotso Phesao. In the second round, he overpowered Visevo Zashiimo. He booked the quarter final berth after defeating Neithongulie Kuotsu in the pre-quarter finals. Standing 5’10 and weighing 95 kg, he qualified for semi finals after defeating Seluokuolie Kire. He downed Rung Lian Ceu of US in the second semi finals.


 
Rung Lian Ceu- 2nd runner-up 


Reigning US & Myanmar wrestling champion Rung Lian Ceu from US defeated Vekuyi Medeo to win the third place and pocked a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. 24 years Ceu defeated Riikukhoto Khusoh in his first bout. 


Standing 5’8 and weighting 97 kg, he found pre-quarter final berth after defeating Kubere Nyekha in the second round. In pre-quarter finals, he overpowered 2017 Naga open wrestling champion Dzieselatuo Keretsu. Ceu entered semi finals after defeating Kekhriezo Nagi but lost to Venuzo Dawhuo in the semi finals.


Ceu also received the best tactical wrestler award and got Rs. 10,000.  Later, talking to media persons, Ceu expressed his happiness over the atmosphere of Naga style wrestling and looked forward to come back in the forthcoming wrestling meet in Nagaland.


 
Vekuyi Medeo- 4th place


4th place winner Vekuyi Medeo (27 years) pocketed a cash prize of Rs. 70,000. He defeated Megotsolie Neikha in his first bout and later overpowered Myanmar wrestler Mang Hnin Thang in the second round.


Hailing from Phusachodu village of Phek district, he defeated Kevizhakho Suokhrie in the pre-quarter finals. Weighing 85 kg and standing 5’9, Medeo booked semi finals berth after his opponent Vekutho Soho failed to turn up due to injury. In semi finals, he was lost to Menuosetuo Yiese. 


 
Losing pre-quarter, quarter finalists


Pre-quarter finalists Kevizhakho Suokhrie,  Atuo Tevo, Manish Bhaoriya (from Jharkhand), Neithongulie Kuotsu, Thepuve Vezuh,  Visedelhou Chusi, Besukhozo Resii and Dzieselatuo Keretsu received Rs. 5000 each. Quarter finalists Kekhriezo Nagi, Vekutho Soho, Keneiselie Khawakhrie and Seluokuolie Kire  received Rs. 10,000 each.
 


Jharkhand wrestler reaches pre-quarter


National games bronze medalist (2015) Manish Bhaoriya from Jharkhand made it to the pre-quarter finals. Weighing 108 kg and standing 6’2, twenty two year old Bhaoriya defeated Vikehiekho Kehie and Vetuzo Dawhuo in the first and second bout respectively. He lost to Keneiselie Khawakhrie in the pre-quarters.


A total cash prize of Rs. 6.10 lakh in this 12th edition was sponsored by Rungutuo Secu, Kruyie Pienyu, Bizo M Kuotsu, Vipralhou Kesiezie and Nosazol Charles.


Altogether, 62 wrestlers (56 from Nagaland, 3 from Myanmar, 2 from Jharkhand and one from US) joined the meet. 
The meet was held under the aegis of Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) with Angami Sports Association as host and managed by Botsa Baptist Church.


Minister for H&TE, Temjen Imna Along and Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board chairman Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu were special guest and honoured guest respectively.