Reigning champion of 15th International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship 2022 and King-of-the-Ring in NagaWrestleMania-9 (organised by 3E Nagaland) 2022, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü will be debuting in the 14th Open Naga Wrestling Championship to be held at State Stadium, Dimapur from 17 to 18th March.
Hailing from Kohima village, standing at 6’3” feet and weighing about 128kg, he will be competing in Belt Wrestling (above 100 kg weight category) and in Open Naga Wrestling.
Pienyü, one of the most talented contemporary Naga-style wrestlers, started wrestling in major tournaments in 2018. He has won about 9 major titles in Nagaland till date.
He won the International Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship twice (2021 and 2022), Angami Sports Association Wrestling Championship twice (2018 and 2022), Northern Angami Wrestling Championship twice (2020 and 2022) and the Naga-Wrestle-Mania king-of-the-series title and heavyweight Championship title (2022).
He was also the champion of Kohima village in 2018.
Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü (hand raised) at NagaWrestleMania-9 2022.
Having missed the last edition of Open Naga Wrestling in 2021 due to ongoing academic exams, he will be participating for the first time in the event.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Pienyü said that he is in a good shape and confident of putting in a good performance in the championship. He said that he had played university basketball to keep himself fit and to improve his agility, stamina and footwork.
He said that it is nice to be playing in Dimapur for the first time and that it may prove to be a good move to popularise the event. The weather is very pleasant and conducive for a good championship, he added.
Talking about his other opponents, Pienyü said that there are strong contenders for the coveted title and cited players like Venuzo Dawhuo, Heleyi D Vadeo, Atuo Tevo, Kekhriezo Nagi, Kevizhakho Suokhrie.
Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü in Angami traditional attire.
Organised by the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), the two-day event will feature the 1st Belt Wrestling Championship on the first day and the 14th Open Naga Wrestling Championship on the second day.
With an aim to promote and encourage Naga wrestling, the venue has been shifted to Dimapur this time. Further, belt wrestling is also being introduced for the first time to encourage other Naga tribes to come and participate.
The NWA is also providing Pay Per View at mytvshows.in for INR 500 (one day) and INR 800 (two day).
Related stories: Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü retains 15th Intl Hornbill Naga Wrestling Championship title
NagaWrestleMania-9: Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü of Kohima Village is the new King-of-the-Ring
