Winner of the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2018, Menuosetuo Yiese raises his hands in victory. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kisama | December 4
Menuosetuo Yiese from Kohima Village won the 12th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2018 after defeating Venuzo Dawhuo on December 4 at the ongoing Hornbill Festival. Yiese won in the professional category. A special Amateur and Tourist category was also held where Bongtang Phom was adjudged the winner.
Yiese was awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh along with citations at the Ampitheatre in Kisama.
Venuzo Dawhuo from Thenyizu village, Phek district was adjudged the second position and awarded a cash prize of Rs 60,000.
Kezhavizo Thevo and Vetuzo Dawhuo won the third and fourth position with a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 and 20,000 respectively. It may be mentioned that the winners were awarded in the professional category.
The Amateur and Tourist category witnessed the participation of tourists from Bihar, Chattisgarh and Kerala. Bongtang Phom who won the Amateur and Tourist category were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 30,000. Mongtsoalam Khiamniungan was awarded the second position with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 while the third and fourth prize went to Thechamo Murry and Sanjeet Kumar Thakur who won Rs. 10,000 and 5,000 respectively.
A total of 22 wrestlers participated in this year’s championship.
The championship was graced by Pele Khezhie, President of Nagaland Taekwondo who acknowledged the indigenous Naga wrestling as a significant sport that Nagas hold close to their hearts. “Wrestling is no more only about a sheer power and strength but also of wit and strategy. It has become an actual art,” said Khezhie said adding that the sport has developed immensely over the years.
