The 15th edition of Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) Open Wrestling Championship 2025 will be held on March 28 at Khuochiezie (Kohima local ground). Minister PHED, Jacob Zhimomi, will grace the occasion as special guest. Venuzo Dawhuo is the reigning NWA Open champion.
The 1st Women Open Wrestling Championship will also be introduced in this edition. The categories for the 2025 NWA Open Championship are: Men – (1) Open Category, (2) Below 90 Kg and (3) Below 75 Kg; Women – (1) 60 Kg & above and (2) below 60 Kg.
Registration forms may be submitted to the respective units or to Nagaland Wrestling Association in hard/soft copy on or before March 20.
As per the guidelines given by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the following criteria needs to be fulfilled in order to qualify Naga Wrestling as an international sport – category system, point system, wrestling costume & women wrestling. As such, this system was implemented at the 17th Hornbill International Naga Wrestling Championship 2024 held on December 6, 2024 at Chiechama with the intention to promote Naga Wrestling as an international sport.
The same system will be followed and applied for the upcoming NWA Open Wrestling Championship 2025 and the UWW Asian Wrestling Championship 2025, to be held in Kohima.
However, it may be noted that categories, point system and women wrestling will not be implemented in the main event of NWA Championship. The traditional method of Naga Wrestling will be followed wherein all competition starts from the grassroot/village level and proceeds till the NWA Championship.
Changes are being made with the sole intention of propagating the sport while safeguarding the traditional values and sentiments attached to Naga Wrestling. Values and traditions will be honoured and maintained by the NWA.
While changes being made may not be smooth and easy, the association believes that the introduction of changes will enable Naga Wrestling to get international recognition and thereby widen the scope and potential for the wrestlers and referees. The association appealed to all the wrestling fraternity for support and cooperation in taking Naga Wrestling to greater heights.
The association has invited participation from wrestlers of all the tribes of Nagaland and also wrestlers from outside the state to partake in the championship.
Registration forms for the 15th NWA Open Championship can be availed from the following persons: Ruokuovikho Chale (Angami Sports Association), Vezohu Ruho (Chakhesang Wrestling Association), Kengim Ilunglung (Zeliang Wrestling Association), N Kitoshe Kiho (Sumi Wrestling Association), Mharomo Lotha (Lotha Wrestling Association), Sipichu Pfithu (Pochury Wrestling Association), Ruchuyhum Seb (Rengma Wrestling Association), Chingmak Chang (Chang Wrestling Association), Kuzhovesa Soho (Nagaland Wrestling Association), Seyielhouvi Nagi (Nagaland Wrestling Association).