Women’s division to be introduced for the first time
KOHIMA, MARCH 3 (MExN): The 15th edition of the NWA Open Wrestling Championship is set to take place on March 28 at Khuochiezie, also known as Kohima Local Ground. Nagaland Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Jacob Zhimomi, will attend the event as the special guest.
The annual championship, a major event in the state’s traditional wrestling calendar, will see reigning champion Venuzo Dawhuo defend his title against a field of contenders. For the first time in the tournament’s history, a women’s division will be introduced, marking a significant milestone for Naga Wrestling.
The men’s competition will feature three categories: the Open Category, Below 90 kg, and Below 75 kg. The women’s division will have two weight classes: 60 kg and above, and below 60 kg. Wrestlers from all tribes of Nagaland, as well as competitors from outside the state, have been invited to participate.
Registration forms for the championship are available through representatives of various wrestling associations across Nagaland, with submissions due by March 20. Forms may be submitted in both hard and soft copies to respective units or directly to the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA).
Aligning with International Standards
The NWA stated that it is working toward aligning Naga Wrestling with international standards set by United World Wrestling (UWW). Efforts to modernize the sport include the introduction of a category system, a point-based scoring system, standardized wrestling attire, and the official inclusion of women’s wrestling. These changes were first implemented during the 17th Hornbill International Naga Wrestling Championship, held on December 6, 2024, in Chiechama.
The same regulations will be applied to the upcoming NWA Open Wrestling Championship and the UWW Asian Wrestling Championship, which is set to take place later this year in Kohima. However, the main event of the NWA Championship will continue to follow the traditional rules of Naga Wrestling, where competition begins at the grassroots level, advancing through village-level qualifiers before culminating at the championship stage.
While the NWA acknowledged that the adoption of international standards may be challenging, it said that these changes are aimed at securing international recognition for Naga Wrestling while preserving the sport’s cultural heritage.
“The introduction of these changes will enable Naga Wrestling to gain global recognition and expand opportunities for wrestlers and referees,” the association said in a statement. “However, we remain committed to honoring the values and traditions that define Naga Wrestling.”
The association appealed to the wrestling community for support and cooperation as it works to elevate Naga Wrestling to new heights.
