A renowned veteran wrestler was defeated by a younger and less accomplished rival on Friday at a traditional wrestling tournament at Nyou-Adeet village in Bor County.

The match was between the youth of Pathuyith led Nhial Malueth of Baidit Payam and the youth of Thony in Kolnyang Payam led by the giant, Ajith Nyakuoi, who lost the match to Nhial Malueth.

The win for Nhial Malueth, in his late 20s, was unusual because Ajith Nyakuoi, in his late 30s, has been challenged many times but rarely defeated.

A local wrestler who attended the competition said the match was attended by thousands of people from all over Jonglei state and even from Juba.

“It was a big match, people really love this sport because they arrived at the place as early as six and the event started at around eight when all the competitors and the morale boosters arrived at the place and the wrestling was begun,” he said after the match.

Another spectator, Bior Majer who attended the match said Nyakuoi was wrestled down in a quick bout that he called “power overcoming power.”

Majer said that the young Nhial Malueth had appeared first on the pitch while the renowned Nyakuoi was counseled by his elderly advisors and friends on how he should tackle the up-and-coming wrestler. When Nyakuoi arrived on the field, Malueth approached him and rushed for the legs with intention of pulling him down, but in vain.

Malueth then pulled on Nyakuoi as he pushed his right arm at his armpit, weakening him as he was forced to turn and eventually he was thrown down dramatically into the dust.

Malueth was then carried in jubilation by the Athooc section of Bor.

Photo: Ajith Nyakuoi