KG Kenye and others with the participants of 30th Wrestling Championship & Under 15 Meet 2026 of SWA at Razeba on January 17.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 17
Twenty three years Hüluyi D Vadeo today emerged the champion title of the 30th Wrestling Championship of Secheku Wrestling Association (SWA), held at Razeba in Phek district.
Son of Lt. Vecüzo D. Vadeo from Sakraba, Hüluyi downed Thuputha Hesuh (Porba) in the quarter final.
Standing 6 ft and weighing 104 kg, he overpowered Riivezo D Vadeo (Sakraba) in the semi finals and later downed Kuvenu Puro (Porba) in final to clinch the champion title.
Winning the coveted champion title, Hüluyi pocketed a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, sponsored by Venüzo Zholia, Member, Collective Leadership NSCN/GPRN.
21 years Kuvenu Puro, son of Vehuta Puro from Porba bagged the 2nd position.
Standing 6 ft and weighing 85 kg, Puro received a cash prize of Rs. 80, 000, sponsored by Er. Chete Lohe, PA to Minister for Power & Parliamentary Affairs.
Riivezo D Vadeo, son of Vekhüta D Vadeo from Sakraba stood third position.
21 years Riivezo, standing 6.1 ft and weighing 97 kg, pocketed a cash prize of Rs. 60,000, sponsored by Abino Lasuh, (Rtd) Assistant Director (Programme), All India Radio Kohima.
26 years Dunve Thuluo, son of Sekho Thuluo from Porba bagged 4th position and received Rs. 40,000, sponsored by Kiezo Teno, Deputy Secretary & Transport officer, Nagaland Civil Secretariat Kohima.
Kutho Puro, son of Mulusheyi Puro from Porba emerged as the champion of Under 15 category and awarded with Rs. 30,000, sponsored by Weprede Kenye, Entrepreneur.
Veshezo Swuro, son of Kuvecusa Swuro of Porba village stood 2nd position and fetched a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 sponsored by Nüvesayi Dzüdo, Entrepreneur.
Lüdove Nakro, son of Ngobayi Nakro from Pholami bagged 3rd position and awarded with Rs. 15,000, sponsored by Vithele, Graduate Teacher, GHS Mesulumi.
The 4th position holder Chure Pohena, son of Soukho Pohena from Zhavame, received Rs. 10,000, sponsored by SWA.
The event was officiated by Zacüta Puro as chief referee along with Hüvesü Puro, Wekekhe Tsido, Kukuo Getsa and Niekhuyi Lohe.
The judges included Rukuto Resüh, Tepe Venuh, Zanuo Vadeo, Wewu Mero, Kevezolo Tsüzüh and Ngonyi Andrew Krocha.
The meet was hosted by Razeba Adhoc Town Committee.
“Naga wrestling has become a major sport event”
Earlier, addressing the event as the special guest, Nagaland’s power & parliamentary affairs minister K.G. Kenye said that Naga wrestling has become a major sport event in Nagaland.
Stating that Naga wrestling is mostly played by three tribes (Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliang) at present, he stressed on the need to introduce this sport to other tribes of Nagaland and beyond.
Kenye said that the policy makers would find better position to support and promote this indigenous sport when it is played by all the Naga tribes.
Touching on belt wresting, the minister lauded the Naga wrestlers for bringing laurel to the state in both national and international level and receiving the global recognition over the years.
Further, Kenye commended the various wrestling associations and the concerted effort of the community in managing and keeping the ancestral sports (Wrestling) alive.
Earlier, the inaugural session was chaired by SWA vice president Züpelhi Resüh while welcome speech was delivered by SWA president Shepo Dzüdo.
SWA technical secretary Neikhozo Keroh administered oath to 42 senior wrestlers and 13 wrestlers Under 15 category.
Later, Zhiewezü Thele, Treasury Officer, Dimapur graced the prize distribution ceremony as the guest of honour.
The programme was led by SWA treasurer Nüpoyi D. Vadeo while declaration of the selected wrestlers for upcoming Chakhesang Wrestling Association (CWA) wrestling meet 2026 was made by SWA general secretary Kerelhi Lohe.
Vote of thanks was proposed by SWA advisor Kekhwelhilo Tara. De-hoisting of SWA flag was done by Mosonyi Krocha, vice chairman, Razeba Adhoc Town Committee.
