Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 23
Naga Wrestling- an indigenous sporting event- which has generally been confined to Kohima and Phek districts was for the first time held in Dimapur. The 1st Naga Wrestling Meet of the Dimapur District Wrestling Association (DDWA) was held at the Dimapur District Sports Complex on Wednesday. The event saw 54 Naga wrestlers grabbling, flipping and throwing down their opponents in feisty bouts.
In the final, after a series of tie breakers, 29 year old Dziesalatuo Keretsu finally threw down 24 year old Dojolhu Shijoh in a pure grabbling match to emerge winner of the DDWA 1st Naga Wrestling Meet. The match was evenly contested, although at 5’11” and 105 kilo, Dzieselatuo had a bigger frame than Dojolhu, who stood 5’6’ tall and weighed 80 kilos.
Having gone through tough and exhausting bouts in the semis and quarterfinals, the two wrestlers took their time to size each other before Dzieselatuo downed Dojolhu twice in consecutive rounds to claim the championship title. The winner walked away with Rs 60, 000 while the runner up received Rs 50,000.
Earlier, an unassuming and unostentatious Dzieselatuo bulldozed his way into the semis before facing off with Pfusato Tetseo, one of the favourites. Dzieselatuo managed to down Pfusato after numerous tiebreakers of the deciding round. Pfusato secured the third place after his opponent Jopuni Poumai was forced to withdraw with a knee injury in the first round. Pfusato received Rs. 30, 000 while Jopuni took home Rs. 20,000. The four quarterfinalists were each awarded Rs. 2000.
A first of its kind in Dimapur, Thursday’s event saw keen participation with Naga wrestlers coming from different parts of the district. Earlier, MLA Zhaleo Rio unfurled the DDWA flag during the inaugural of the wrestling meet as chief guest while Kesonyu Yhome, DC Dimapur, attended as guest of honour. The inaugural function also witnessed an exhibition match between Vechita Khesoh and Vekuzo Vezhu, champion and runner-up respectively, at the recently concluded 25th anniversary meet of the Nagaland Wrestling Association.
