Chokri Area Wrestling, Kikruma, 8th January 2014

On 8^th January, All roads in Chokri Area led to Kikruma village for the 25^th Session of Chokri Area Wrestling Association (CAWA). The Chief Guest, Chotisuh Sazo came to inaugurate the memorial stone at 8:30 am at Government High School ground. But that is not where the action was. The anxious crowd had gathered at the St. Peters’ School ground. The excitement and the eagerness to see action was palpable. The prolonged delay in between was met with shouts of, ‘come on, we want to see wrestling’.  We love wrestling. And not just any wrestling, we want Naga Style Wrestling. When the third round was followed by National Style wrestling, people started to leave. The Chief Guest in his wonderful speech had appealed to give importance to National Style as well because that can take one to national and international levels. But our hearts and emotions are with Naga Style. 

Oath taking

Before I go on too long with the introduction and the side stories, let’s hear how it went. The first bout was between Khruzoto Tetseo of Khulazu Basa and Thepukhoyi Swuro of Chetheba. Chief Guest blew the whistle and the wrestlers wasted little time to ‘go for it’ which the crowd loved. Khruzoto went for the right heel of Thepukhoyi and succeeded to nail him. It was not a close fight. He won both the bouts and earned maximum possible points of 6. Due to my poor wrestling knowledge, I haven’t noticed by then that Khruzoto might emerge as the runner up of the competition. He weighs 80 kg, and stands tall at 6 feet. He is only 19 and still has years to go. The wresters, by the way, look smaller in the arena but as you look at the Wrestlers’ Profile, my God, almost all of them are taller than me (an average Naga who thinks he’s not short). Six of the wrestlers are 6 feet or above. The heaviest was Mudovoyo Kezo from Kikruma weighing 100 kgs. There were 12 wrestlers out of 33 (Naga Style) weighing 80 kg or more. We have the built (although that’s not everything).

The Second pair was Vezhopo Chuzho of Phusachodu and Pfusato Tetseo of Khulazu Bawe. The respect for each other was too much, more of the former for the later I guess (don’t judge me, just sounding an opinion) that it ended in a tame draw. Both are senior wrestlers and Pfusato was Hornbill Wrestling champion. It is said that being a former champion makes one’s life harder in the ring. Sort that out for yourself. I have been looking forward to seeing the heaviest man wrestle, Mudovoyo Kezo. He made it look easy as he won the first two rounds. In the first round, he faced Mezivoyi Khamo of K. Basa who is 5 inches shorter and 45 kgs lighter!! Naga wrestling has this (debatable?) fact that there is no weight category. So, it depends on luck (read Omen) who you pick to wrestle. But in the third round, Mudovoyo was not lucky and he picked a man his match. His opponent was none other than Pfusato, who was to become my new favourite after this fight. Pfusato has a lot less fat than Mudovoyo and weighs 82 kg. He was however, taller by an inch and seven years younger (he’s 20). As they took to the ring, it was palpable that this fight could be the match of the tournament (came too soon, it could have been the final). But that was not to be. Mudovoyo fell rather easier than expected. Twice. Pfusato has this aura about him, and has the built of a champion. But sadly Pfusato could not qualify for the title hunt later. It was because of the tame draw with Vezhopo. In the second round also, he managed to nail his opponent towards the dying seconds. If he’d not done it in those seconds and Mudovoyo played defence and ended in a draw, he could have gone home with nothing. That is the exciting thing about wrestling. But he made it to the Chakhesang level although he didn’t win any title here. 

The fight for third place was fought between Hukhoneyi Chuzho (does the name ring any bell?) of Phusachodu and Posehu Kezo of Kikruma village. Posehu Kezo had a wonderful day. He won the maximum points possible in the 3 rounds (18). He had an extra wrestle as well after the qualification rounds as there were 5 of them and four were needed for the title rounds. Hukhoneyi was also exciting all throughout, agile and talented. His figure is not towering, weighing 70 kg and measuring 5’8”. But he has quick feet, good balance and technique. It was a closely fought contest. Posehu eventually nailed it and claimed a red Hunter motorbike. 

L-R: Vevohu (1st), Khruzoto (2nd), Posehu (3rd), Hukhoneyi (4th)

Vevohu Swuro emerged as the champion defeating Khruzoto Tetseo in the grand finale of the 25^th CAWA meet, and walked away with a yellow Apache bike. Vevohu wrestled with a heavily strapped right knee which almost cost him the title. He was Chakhesang champion. He has the looks of a champion at 23 years, measuring 6’ and 86 kgs. On closer look, he also has a gentle face, adding to the fact that he’s more pale than most of the other wrestlers. After the first bout which he won, there was a long medical time-out as he limped to a corner. I wonder about the extent of the damage, but it is a worry if he has to go all the way to the State level. He lost the second bout and the title fight went to the wire. The third and final bout which has no time limit ended quickly as the champion wrong footed Khruzoto who fell on his back. Vevolhu emerged as the champion and all congratulations and respect to him. But personally my heart in this title fight went to the runner up. When Khruzoto Tetseo opened the day with an easy win, I haven’t noticed but by the end of the day, I see him as someone to watch out for, this year, but also many years to come (a teenager, he is). Someone remarked that he has a good heart too, as one observes his fight with an injured opponent. His unassuming visage must have won more fans. He doesn’t look extra big or tall. That’s because he is proportionate and has good body balance I suppose. As one looks at the statistics, one realizes that he has what it takes (6’, 80 kg). He won a blue Discover bike (which he doesn’t know how to ride yet). Thenyizu Wrestling Association emerged as the group champion on percentage count. Avolie Kezo, the Guest of Honour gave away the prizes. 

The wresters who competed in Naga Style were (as per the order in the Wrestlers Profile):

1.      Mudovoyo Kezo

2.      Vezota Thira

3.      Sumu Kezo

4.      Kronyo Kezo

5.      Posehu Kezo (third)

6.      Sepo Puro

7.      Mulusuyo Kezo

8.      Sekhoyo Thira

9.      Mudotso Thira

10.  Mudosu Kezo

11.  Pungozo Swuro

12.  Vevohu Swuro (first)

13.  Zumozo Kezo

14.  Venuzo Dawhuo

15.  Vetuzo Dawhuo

16.  Vecuto Swuro

17.  Thepukhoyi Swuro

18.  Theputo Puro

19.  Mutsitso Nienu

20.  Nukhoyi Nyekha

21.  Veswuvoyi Nyekha

22.  Rukuzo Rhakho

23.  Khruzoto Tetseo (second)

24.  Thejozo Kezo

25.  Mezivoyi Khamo

26.  Pfusato Tetseo

27.  Vericho Rhakho

28.  Vezhopo Chuzho

29.  Hukhoneyi Chuzho (fourth)

30.  Zuvozo Ruho

31.  Verazo Thuluo

32.  Kuzhosheyi Thuluo

33.  Vekuyi Medeo