Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a soldier from Nagaland, has made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Competing in the F57 category of men’s shot put, the 40-year-old threw a personal best of 14.65 meters to secure the medal, bringing India its 27th overall medal in the games. His achievement has placed India in the 17th position with 6 gold, 9 silver, and 12 bronze medals.
First Paralympic Medalist from Nagaland
Hokato Sema is the first athlete from Nagaland to win a medal at the Paralympics. His determination and hard work were visible in his performance, where he improved from a third throw of 14.40 meters to 14.65 meters in his fourth attempt, securing third place. Iran’s Yasin Khosravi took the gold with a throw of 15.96 meters, while Brazil’s Paulino dos Santos claimed the silver with 15.06 meters. Another Indian athlete, Soman Rana, finished fifth in the same event with a best throw of 14.07 meters.
A Soldier’s Courage and Spirit
Sema’s story is one of immense courage and resilience. Coming from a farmer family in Nagaland, Hokato joined the Indian Army with the dream of becoming part of the elite special forces. However, at the young age of 18, his life took a tragic turn when he lost his right leg in a landmine blast during an operation at the Line of Control (LoC) in 2002.
Despite this life-altering injury, Hokato did not give up. He decided to pursue para-sports at the age of 32 and has since made significant contributions to the world of athletics. His journey from a soldier to a Paralympic champion is an inspiration to many.
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Success on the Global Stage
Before his remarkable win at the 2024 Paralympics, Hokato had already made a name for himself in international para-sports. He won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games and secured a silver medal at the 2022 Morocco Grand Prix. Additionally, he finished fourth in the 2024 World Championship, showing his consistency and dedication.
Hokato Sema’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, and his achievements have brought pride not only to Nagaland but to the entire nation.
