Kekhrieneitso Angami (silver), Longtsukumba Ao (silver), and Arsenba Ozukum (bronze) were among five fighters from The Combat Academy Nagaland, who represented India at the championship held in Kyrgyzstan from August 24 to 28. Mairidin Newmai and Limasunep Imchen were the other two fighters from the State. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Neiphiu_Rio)
Rebecca K Kits
Dimapur | August 31
On August 28, three Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters from Nagaland made headlines with their medal haul at the GAMMA Asian MMA championship 2021.
Kekhrieneitso Angami, Longtsukumba Ao, and Arsenba Ozukum were among five fighters from The Combat Academy Nagaland, who represented India at the championship held in Kyrgyzstan from August 24 to 28. Mairidin Newmai and Limasunep Imchen were the other two fighters from the State.
All of them trained out of The Combat Academy (TCA) Nagaland.
Kekhrieneitso and Longtsukumba won silver; Arsenba secured the bronze medal on the final day of the championship.
Against all odds
While their achievement put Nagaland in the spotlight, for the fighters from Nagaland, it was a fight against all odds.
“This is the first time they have travelled abroad and they faced fighters from countries that have had years of professional experience,” Khriemelie Metha, Head Coach at The Combat Academy Nagaland, told The Morung Express.
The journey to Kyrgyzstan for the championship was also funded with help from their families, friends and well-wishers.
Metha shared that they decided to ‘not put the pressure on the government’ and try to do it on their own. However, the support from the community was immense, he noted. Apart from financial help, there were many who came forward to offer assistance to the boys in order to ensure a smooth trip to the championship.
“Making it to Kyrgyzstan for the GAMMA Asian championship was itself a big task, especially considering the finances.
But I’m blessed and thankful to have received help from my well wishers, my family and my team,” Kekhrieneitso said.
He also made special mention of his mother, Bobby Nakhro, calling her his ‘number one supporter’ and thanking her for her sacrifices and prayers for him.
Further, as Longtsukumba Ao and Kekhrieneitso Angami, are both fighters in the same weight class (70kg), it would have meant that two Naga boys would be up against each other in the competition. As such, Longtsukumba decided to compete in the 170lbs (77kgs) Striking MMA category.
“I’m feeling good,” was Longtsukumba’s response right after his final bout. Speaking to The Morung Express, Longtsukumba, also known as the Longsa Tiger, said, “As an athlete and a competitor, I came here to win, so making it to the finals was not a very big surprise for me.”
“This is the first time I’ve fought at Welter weight (77kgs). Moreover, it being an international event, there was added pressure. I’m grateful and thankful to God for guiding me till here and although I came short in the finals, I’m happy I gave my all,” he added.
A treat for fans
Soon after news of their match result broke, supporters back home burst out with delight. Most of them took to social media platforms to congratulate the boys. Days later, the fans are still buzzing with excitement and on the fighters’ return to Nagaland on August 31, The Morung Express interacted with some individuals and sought their views on what the feat means to them.
“Our boys did awesome and left their mark! Thank you for adding Nagaland in the map of unarmed combat,” Toshy Sangpu Sungkemshir Jamir said.
He also acknowledged Head Coach at The Combat Academy Nagaland, Khriemelie Metha for providing a platform to the boys.
Commending the boys for their performance in a big tournament on foreign soil for the first time, Jamir added, “You have won our hearts with your sportsmanship and your hunger and dedication for the game.
For Talimoa Pongen, more than the love of the sport, it was the five Naga lads who kept him glued to the live broadcast of the GAMMA Asian MMA championship. “It was a great hustle as I had to switch tabs to view all their fights,” he shared. They put up quite a performance, and I was even hoping for a gold medal, Pongen said, adding that the final matches were still worth watching as “the fighters gave it their all.” He also made special mention of The Combat Academy Nagaland for nurturing such well disciplined and commendable talents.
The way ahead
While this is the first time they have travelled abroad and faced fighters from countries that have had years of professional experience, TCA Head Coach Metha expressed hope that their achievement would open more doors in the future as well.
With three out of five participants from the academy winning medals at the international event, Metha said that things will improve for Nagaland in the coming days.
“It is only going to get better,” he shared, while adding that the players will come back with more experience to help them in their own performance as well as to share with the next generation of MMA fighters in the State.
On their return to Nagaland on August 31, the boys were greeted with a warm welcome by family members, friends and supporters at the Dimapur Airport.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also joined a host of other State officials on congratulating and welcoming them home. “Congratulations to Longtsukumba Ao, Kekhrieneitso Angami & Arsenba Ozukum for winning two silver & one bronze medal at the GAMMA Asian MMA Championship 2021, Kyrgyzstan. You have made Nagaland and the country proud. Wishing you many more victories in the future,” the CM tweeted on Tuesday.
