There is more to Naga wrestling, a traditional grappling sport, than what meets the eye.
For starters, the game – in which a player must bring any part of the opponent’s body above the knee to the ground – is unlike any other wrestling event. The varied rules, and techniques practised and perfected over generations, and the game’s “human connection” is starting to attract players from across the country.
The sport remains indigenous to three Naga Tribes – Angami, Chakhesang, and Zeliang. However, with several championships thrown open for all to participate in over the years, this traditional sporting event is attracting wrestlers from beyond the state.
The second edition of the Chakhesang Open Wrestling Championship, which concluded on November 4, witnessed the participation of wrestlers from beyond the three tribes, even as wrestlers from Delhi and Karnataka took part in the event.
Given the increasing popularity of the sport outside the tribes that gave its shape and form, EastMojo spoke to some wrestlers to know what made them participate in the Championship.
For Sagar (22), a wrestler from Delhi, the two rounds he played were not something ordinary. “Right before the championships, I began practising Naga wrestling by watching videos. On our arrival here, we were taught about the techniques and rules. But I was petrified to play because there were many things that I still had to learn about the game,” he said.
A native of Haryana, the youth, who weighs 85 kg, began belt wrestling since he was 14 years old.
“Since it was my first time, I was intimidated. It was a new game and a different style of play for me. In this game, we hold on to the cloth tied around the opponent’s waist, and we grapple, maintaining over a foot distance on the lower half of the body. The duration of the play differs, and there are more styles of attacking in this game,” Sagar said.
Another plus point for Naga wrestlers, he observed, was the stamina built due to the hilly terrain. “For those of us from plains, we train and work out to build our body and stamina. The local players naturally have strong legs, something we have to train for,” he said.
Born to a wrestler, Sagar said he wishes to raise awareness about Naga wrestling when he returns to Delhi. The wrestler wants to come back for the next competition better prepared.
“Wrestling is in my blood and I want to learn more about different types of wrestling, including Naga wrestling. I will do better next time. My ultimate aim is to excel in wrestling and earn medals for my country,” he said.
Like Sagar, 16-year-old Ritik from Delhi also played the indigenous grapple game for the first time. “I have learnt something new, although I lost in the third round. I’m proud of myself because I overcame my fear of not knowing the techniques and giving my best,” he said.
Atul Suresh Shiroli, 25, from Karnataka, shared how this indigenous sport of the Nagas became a major learning for him.
“It is similar to our wrestling, but the rules are different. I learnt that in this sport, we need to have strong legs and hands because we have to bend and play throughout the game. I am hoping to learn more about the game and win the championship next time,” he said.
The young wrestler who participated in national and international wrestling championships said he will return to wrestling after the COVID-19 pandemic. As he takes home learnings from the Naga indigenous sport, he shared his determination to return and win a Naga wrestling championship someday.
At present, Shirole is a physical instructor and trains children for the Karnataka wrestling federation. He promised to return to Nagaland with more participants from his native state.
While Naga wrestling is played by only three major tribes in the state, it is loved by many.
Sentilong Imchen, a 22-year-old wrestler from the Mokokchung district, is winning the hearts of wrestling enthusiasts as he took up the sport.
Imchen, who participated in the Naga wrestling event, said, “At this Chakhesang Open Wrestling Championship, there was so much pressure on me because many good wrestlers turned up to compete. I wanted to give my best, and gave my best shot.”
He recalled how he began wrestling at a young age with friends from the three tribes. “My dad used to take me to watch wrestling tournaments held at the Kohima ground. So, I found the sport fascinating and always wanted to be a wrestler,” he added.
Imchen participated in the event after undergoing Naga wrestling basic demonstration and coaching organised by 3E Nagaland earlier this year, for the non-wrestling communities. He had made his debut at a recently concluded Naga wrestling tournament.
As a representative of the non-wrestling community, he urged other Naga tribes to take up the sport. “I want to tell other tribes that Naga wrestling is not only for the Chakhesang, Angami, and Zeliang tribes. As Nagas, this game is for all. I urge people from the other tribes to participate in the game,” he added.
The love for the indigenous sport brought thousands of wrestling enthusiasts to the Pfutsero Sports Complex under the Phek district as 60 wrestlers grappled for the championship title last week.
Rokolasie Kimho from Medziphema under the Chümoukedima district was one such enthusiast. Starting early in the morning at around 5 am, he made his way to the wrestling arena after covering around 113 km and two districts — Medziphema and Kohima — before making it to the third district.
“I am a wrestling enthusiast who came to witness the traditional wrestling, which is an important game for the Nagas. This game is unique because it builds the spirit of brotherhood,” he said.
True to what Kimho said, the traditional sport is no ordinary wrestling match. In this game, opponents face off in close combat, not only proving one’s physical prowess but grappling for the spirit of brotherhood.