Nagaland wrestlers all set to compete at Khelo India

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 15 (EMN): Nagaland is participating in four disciplines — archery, javelin, 3000m race and wrestling — at the ongoing 3rd Khelo India Youth Games 2020 in Guwahati, Assam.

Two Nagaland athletes – Taliyanger Ozukum and Songmo P — competed in the under-21 javelin and 3000m race that was conducted between January 11 and 14 at Sarjusarai Stadium in Guwahati.

Athletic coach B Awala Walling told Eastern Mirror over the phone from Guwahati that javelin thrower Taliyanger Ozukum, who competed in the under-21 boys category, set a mark of 49.16 m and was ranked 7 among 10 finalists in the event. Walling added that Songmo P clocked 11.45.47 in the under-17 3000m race and placed in the 12th position among the 16 participants.

From Kohima, archery coach Neisevotuo Terhase informed that two archers — Kenesao Theünuo and Kevikieno Rikha — participated in the under-21 boys and girls archery recurve divisions respectively. He added that top 16 archers in the country have been selected to compete in the discipline.

However, Theünuo who was ranked 5 in the qualification round, failed to secure his berth in the “elimination round”. Rikha too could not make it to the elimination round. She was ranked 13 among the 16 archers in the qualification round.

Meanwhile, seven wrestlers, including five wrestlers for under-17 boys and two wrestlers for under-21 girls are all set to compete in their respective categories. The competition will start at 10 am on Thursday.

Wrestling coach Kikhwesul Thokhwe informed this correspondent over the phone from Guwahati that the wrestlers got through the “verification” process successfully and that they are ready for the competition.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is currently (as of January 15) leading the medal tally in the Games with 110 medals (gold – 23, silver – 32, bronze – 50) followed by Haryana with 73 medals (gold – 23, silver – 25, bronze – 25), and Uttar Pradesh in the third position with 48 medals (gold – 17, silver 18, bronze – 13).