Nagaland tug of war team has finished sixth in the Classic Tug of War World Championship at the sixth World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan. The result marks India’s first participation in the discipline at the international event.
Representing India, the Nagaland Chief Minister’s team secured victories over Brazil, South Korea, Great Britain and Turkey before losing to hosts Kyrgyzstan. The performance has drawn appreciation from the Nagaland Tug of War Association.
Nagaland tug of war team enters global competition
The Nagaland tug of war team competed as part of India’s participation in the 2026 World Nomad Games. The tournament is being held from August 31 to September 6 across venues in Bishkek and the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan.
The sixth edition has brought together athletes and delegations from more than 100 countries. Around 3,000 athletes are taking part across 43 traditional sporting disciplines, giving the event a broad international platform.
Classic tug of war is among the strength-based events featured at the Games. It is conducted as a team contest in which athletes work together to pull their opponents across a designated line.
Four victories before the final result
The Nagaland team began its campaign with notable wins against Brazil, South Korea, Great Britain and Turkey. Those results placed the side among the leading teams in the competition before its defeat against Kyrgyzstan.
As a result, the Nagaland tug of war team finished sixth overall in the championship. While it did not secure a medal, the campaign gave India valuable exposure in a discipline that the country had not previously contested at the World Nomad Games.
The result also highlighted the team’s ability to compete against established international sides. Its run included victories over teams from different regions, making the sixth-place finish a significant debut for the Nagaland contingent.
Team led by Vechita Khesoh
The team was captained by Vechita Khesoh. Other athletes listed in the contingent were Kezhaseluo Pienyü, Keviser Dzuvichu, Sedevizo Keretsu, Vekuzo Vezuh, Niekhozo Keroh, Heuci Kunlim and Vemele Thingo.
Director of Youth Resources and Sports Kethoseituo Sekhose served as coach, while Joint Director Neuvitho Nyuthe was the referee. Together, the athletes and officials formed the Nagaland contingent for the tug of war competition.
The participation reflects Nagaland’s continuing engagement with traditional and strength-based sports on international platforms. It also provides athletes from the state with an opportunity to gain experience against competitors from different sporting systems.
Nagaland tug of war team earns association’s praise
Nagaland Tug of War Association president Dr Er. Vekho Swuro praised the team for its unity and sporting spirit. He encouraged the athletes to build on their performance and aim for greater success in future competitions.
Swuro also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio for his support and patronage, which helped enable the team’s participation at the international event.
The association’s response underlines the importance of the result beyond the final ranking. The competition has provided a platform for Nagaland athletes to test their skills at a major international sporting gathering.
World Nomad Games provide wider platform
The World Nomad Games combine traditional sports with cultural activities and heritage-focused events. The 2026 edition includes disciplines such as horseback archery, wrestling, kok-boru, mas wrestling, traditional archery and classic tug of war.
The Games were first held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014 and later moved to Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024. The 2026 edition has returned to Kyrgyzstan, where the event was originally launched.
For the Nagaland tug of war team, the sixth-place finish now provides an international benchmark. Moreover, India’s first appearance in the discipline creates a foundation for greater participation in future editions.
The team may not have returned with a medal, but its victories over four international opponents have given its debut added significance. Its sixth-place finish also puts Nagaland’s tug of war athletes on a wider sporting map as the World Nomad Games continue through September 6.
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