26 years old Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü, champion of the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) Meet 2024, started training as a wrestler at a young age of 17. “I grew up watching matches of some prominent Champions like Kezhalelie Keretsü, Vekhriyi Chüzho etc. who inspired me to start training at a very young age and here I am today,” says the Naga Wrestler.
Son of Lt. Tepfusanyü Pienyü and Neipranuo Pienyü, Kezhaseluo-o comes from a wrestling family where his late father, his father’s elder brother and his maternal grandfather were all skilled wrestlers. “Right from the beginning, wrestling was in my blood,” remarks Pienyü.
However, it has been Pienyü’s hardwork and constant discipline that places him as an ultimate champion in the field of wrestling.
For this year’s edition, Pienyü underwent rigorous training of 7-8 hours everyday for the last seven months. Besides training at the gym, his schedule included jogging and running early morning, undergoing physical hurdles and conditioning in the afternoon. A member of the wrestling club ‘Bout Lords’, Pienyü mentions that every wrestling season the mentors organise and conduct training for the wrestlers both in theory and practical. “We look, discuss and dissect some critical videos of ourselves and our opponents from previous championships, where we learn, amend and gets mentally prepared for a tournament,” shares Pienyü.
Here, he acknowledges all the mentors at Bout Lords- prominent wrestlers from his village- who has inspired and motivated him.
Pienyü regards the legendary wrestler Kezhalelie Keretsü, Managing Director of the Club, as his role model. “Right from the start, he has been my role-model, my mentor and my sparring partner till date. He is the best strategist, his vast knowledge and expertise on the game is of God-mode. Whatever I learned and know theoretically and practically were taught by him. His strict military-like command and discipline during the practice sessions propelled us to a platform which all the other wrestlers would dream of. Besides God almighty, I owe him my victory,” acknowledges Pienyü.
Of memorable matches, tough competitors and challenges
Some of the toughest competitors that Pienyü has encountered in the ring are his comrades Menuosetuo Yiese and Venuzo Dawhuo.
“Their bull-like built, their flawless tactics, their mass power, their experiences, their endurances, their charisma, their daringness outshone the others by miles,” expresses Pienyü.
On being ask about one memorable moment in the ring, Pienyü notes he holds all the matches he played equally dear to his heart. “But if I have to give a particular match, I would say, my semi-finals match of NWA 2024 against the legendary wrestler Venüzo Dawhuo. I was drained-out, physically, mentally and emotionally. I was overwhelmed with joy. I had make it to the final and ultimately the title. A dream come true!”
However, the biggest challenge for Kezhaseluo-o has been the hard decision to choose his academics or wrestling career. The wrestling season in Nagaland usually starts from October till March coinciding with the final exams. “It’s either you wrestle or sit for the exams, there’s no other options. At one point of time, I was the champion for ASA but had to give up the thought of going for the most prestigious championship- NWA tournament- as I had to sit for my Class 12 finals. I am happy I chose it right,” reflects the Wrestler.
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Handling expectations and future bouts
After every practice session, Pienyü mentions, we have 30 minutes to discuss how to mentally prepare for a match without being temperamental. The trainees are advised by the mentors to focus and take one step at a time. “You cannot be emotionally overwhelmed by the thought of winning a tournament before you actually won it. It’s not finished until it’s finished, so we have to play every single match as if it’s the final match. Winning and losing is part of a game so we cannot let the dread of losing a match pressure or bother us. With this kind of advanced orientation programme by the club, I am finally able to handle situations with calmness,” shares Pienyü.
As for what lies ahead, Kezhaseluo-o says, “I am not retiring anytime soon, if God is willing I will definitely come back and defend my titles.”
With some more records and championship in mind, the Wrestling Champion mentions that he will be continuing his training sessions at the gym with his mentors.
However, education remains a priority for now.
“My priority is to do my graduation first. I don’t know what the future holds for me but at the moment I have two things in my mind. One is to pursue business and the other is to become a coach. But as I’ve said earlier, let’s take one step at a time,” says Kezhaseluo-o.
