Kohima Masters Pickleball Championship, organised by The Paddle Collective Kohima, concluded on Saturday at The Heritage Pickleball Arena, with players from Kohima and Dimapur competing across four doubles categories.

The two-day championship, held on October 2 and 3, brought together around 60 participants, with men aged 40 years and above and women aged 30 years and above taking part. The tournament carried a total prize purse of Rs 1.20 lakh, with Rs 20,000 awarded to winners and Rs 10,000 to runners-up in each of the four categories.

In the Mixed Doubles Beginners category, James Liezietsu and Dr Mengu Rio emerged winners, while Imtisen Kikon and Amung Konyak finished runners-up.

In the Mixed Doubles Open category, Viketho Kechü and Imtisen Kikon won the title, with Kenei Miachieo and Lentina Longkumer finishing runners-up.

The Men’s Doubles Open title was won by James Liezietsu and Viketho Kechü, while Lhouvi Punyü and Vikho Khate were the runners-up.

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In the Men’s Doubles Beginners category, Yudang Ao and Moa Pongen emerged champions, while Mengu Sakhrie and Er Talisunep secured the runners-up position.

Individual awards were also presented at the championship. Er Talisunep was named Best Beginner Player (Men), while Imtisen Kikon received the Best Beginner Player (Women) award. Viketho Kechü was named the Best Player of the Tournament.

The prizes were handed over by Neibodzelie Solo, Chairperson of the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).

The championship began on October 2 with the Mixed Doubles Beginners and Mixed Doubles Open categories, while the Men’s Doubles Beginners and Men’s Doubles Open categories were played on October 3.

The inaugural Kohima Masters was organised with the objective of bringing together the growing pickleball community in the region and providing players with a platform to compete and build camaraderie through the sport.