Nagaland's World Championship-bound Pencak Silat athletes—Kitenlo K. Thono, Liike Kibami, and Avikali V. Sheqi—and NPSA officials with NOA Secretary General Abu Metha at the Games Village, Chümoukedima.
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 12 (MExN): Three athletes from Nagaland have qualified to represent India at the 21st World Senior Pencak Silat Championship 2026, scheduled to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from December 5 to 12.
The athletes, Kitenlo K. Thono, Liike Kibami and Avikali V. Sheqi, will compete in the Tanding (sparring) category in their respective weight divisions. Kitenlo will compete in the men's under-95 kg category, while Liike and Avikali will represent India in the women's under-55 kg and under-70 kg categories, respectively.
The championship will be held at the Martial Arts Palace Indoor Stadium, Olympic City Complex, under the aegis of the Uzbekistan Pencak Silat Federation and the International Pencak Silat Federation. The three athletes have previously secured medals at the Asian level. Kitenlo is a silver medallist at the 9th Asian Senior Pencak Silat Championship held in Vietnam in 2025, while Avikali won bronze at the 10th Asian Senior Pencak Silat Championship in Vietnam in 2026.
The selected athletes, accompanied by members of the Nagaland Pencak Silat Association (NPSA), called on Abu Metha, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister and Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), at the Games Village in Chümoukedima on November 11, during the ongoing Nagaland State and Para Games 2026.
Metha congratulated the athletes on their selection to the Indian national squad and urged them to compete with grit and determination to bring laurels to Nagaland and the country. He also extended his wishes and support ahead of the championship.
Meanwhile, NPSA President Khevishe Sema and association members expressed gratitude to Chief Minister and NOA President Dr Neiphiu Rio, and Metha, for including Pencak Silat in the Nagaland Olympic Games 2024, North East Games 2024 and Nagaland State and Para Games 2026. The association also acknowledged the support of Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports S Keoshu Yimkhiung and Director of Youth Resources and Sports Kethosituo Sekhose in promoting the sport and supporting the state's athletes.
