The most popular sport in the state of Nagaland by far, is an indigenous form of wrestling. Seen here are wrestlers in a bout at the Hornbill Naga Wrestling competition 2012...
Naga Wrestling is one of the oldest traditional Indian sports. This is a form of wrestling in India that was invented and popularised in the Indian state of Nagaland. The people of Nagaland enjoy playing and watching the game very much, and the authorities organise regular inter-village wrestling championships in the state, every year. The game has later gained popularity in the national level in India also and in the modern times, national championships are being organised on a regular basis. Naga Wrestling, the participants begin by catching the other contestant`s waist belt. Once the referee signals the start of a game, the two competitors try their level best to discard each other. The wrestlers can do it by using a number of tricks. They can use their legs and also muscular force. However, though holding the opponent`s leg with using hands is not permissible in Naga Wrestling, one can use his hands to hold the other parts of the opponent`s body, beginning from the waist and going further up. The wrestler, who becomes successful to throw the opponent to the ground, is declared as the winner of the match. However, the wrestler must ensure that the trunk of the opponent has touched the ground. India also and in the modern times, national championships are being organised on a regular basis.
The bouts start with the contestants holding each other's waist girdles. As soon as the signal is given, both the wrestlers try to throw off each other. A combination of various leg tricks and sheer brawn are employed to achieve victory, but the use of hands on an opponent's legs is considered a foul, though hands can be used to hold other parts of the body, waist upwards. A wrestler is declared the winner if he can throw off his opponent, and in the process, get the trunk of the opponent to touch the ground, taking care not to let his own trunk do so. The wrestler who succeeds in pulling or thrusting down his opponent, or forces him into a kneeling position with both knees and one hand, or one knee and both
Source: http://www.indianetzone.com & http://www.hornbillfestival.com
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