Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s Laki Weshi Sangno, a 22-year-old Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sensation, has made history by clinching a gold medal at the prestigious Bali Open Submission Grappling Championship held in Canggu, Indonesia.
With this remarkable win, Sangno becomes the first Indian to top the podium at this year’s edition of the tournament.
Hailing from Weshi village in the East Kameng district, Sangno dominated the adult No-Gi category. His path to gold culminated in a thrilling final bout against the United Kingdom’s Yermie, whom he defeated with a decisive rear-naked choke submission.
Sangno’s journey to the top was marked by impressive performances. He secured victory against George G from Jamaica in his opening match, then went on to submit local Indonesian fighter Dlan in the second round, setting the stage for his gold medal clash.
The final bout, a 6-minute test of endurance, saw Sangno seal his victory in extra time, earning widespread applause from international coaches and spectators alike.
Congratulating the young athlete, Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “A proud day for Arunachal! Laki Weshi Sangno of Weshi village, East Kameng, brings home Gold from the #BaliOpenSubmissionGrappling 2025, becoming the first Indian to win in the adult No-Gi category! At just 22, he’s lifted the spirit of the hills onto the global arena. Congratulations, Laki! May your journey continue to inspire!”
The Bali Open Submission Grappling Championship, hosted by the Bali BJJ Federation, is renowned for its “submission-only” format.
This unique rule set eliminates point-scoring, focusing entirely on a fighter’s ability to achieve a finish, making every match a true testament to grappling skill and strategic endurance.
The event attracted top talents globally, featuring competitions in both Gi and No-Gi brackets across various age groups.
