Veroli Zhimo
The month of August ended with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters from Nagaland making headlines with their medal haul at the GAMMA Asian MMA championship 2021 in Kyrgyzstan.
Kekhrieneitso Angami, Longtsukumba Ao, Arsenba Ozukum, Mairidin Newmai and Limasunep Imchen were the five fighters from The Combat Academy Nagaland, who represented India at the championship held from August 24 to 28. Among them, Kekhrieneitso and Longtsukumba won silver; Arsenba secured the bronze medal on the final day of the championship.
This is the first time the fighters have travelled abroad to participate in an international event, facing opponents from countries that have had years of professional experience.
Notably, the journey to Kyrgyzstan for the championship was made possible through funding from their families, friends and well-wishers. Head Coach at The Combat Academy Nagaland Khriemelie Metha told The Morung Express on August 31 that they decided to ‘not put the pressure on the government’ and try to do it on their own.
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, Metha said.
In the recent past, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, also known as UFC (the premier MMA organization) has taken the world by storm and is now considered a ‘billion dollar sport.’ Nagaland also got into the game, organising several X1 International events sanctioned by the National Federation of Mixed Martial Arts India, which is now affiliated with the global body, International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).
And while America’s UFC is growing in popularity in India over the years thanks to social media and viral fights featuring heavyweights such as Conor McGregor and Khalid Ismail, Nagaland’s combatants are slowly becoming icons in their own right with several medal hauls in the national area, besides the recent victories in Kyrgyzstan. Notably, Longtsukumba Ao has earned the ‘Longsa Tiger’ moniker for his prowess in the ‘cage.’
Another noteworthy triumph in the world of combat sports in August was L Bendangyanger Longkumer’s silver medal for the K1-54 Category at the recently concluded WAKO India National Senior & Masters Kickboxing Championship 2021 in Goa.
As the push to ‘change the narrative’ of sport in Nagaland gains traction, it is only fair that the state recognises the potential of the youth and explore avenues outside the conventional football or cricket arena. The state already has private training facilities in the form of The Combat Academy, Anabolic Nation/Naga Bushido and StrikeFit Academy, with experienced trainers. The collective passion and perseverance of the fighters and their trainers are paying off now.
While congratulatory messages in the form of tweets from the Chief Minister and a few legislators emerged on Twitter following the lads’ victories, whether this would translate into institutional support remains to be seen.
Whatever may transpire, it is evident that Nagaland’s fighters have the heart; they just need support.
Comments can be sent to vzhimolimi@gmail.com
