Meet Hokato Hotozhe Sema: Landmine Blast Survivor Who Brought Nagaland Its First Paralympic Medal

Hokato Hotozhe Sema became Nagaland’s first-ever Paralympian to win a medal by winning a bronze medal in shot put at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Here’s a look at his inspiring story.

India’s medal tally received another boost as the country bagged its 27th Paris Paralympics 2024 medal on September 6 (Friday). Hokato Hotozhe Sema won a bronze medal in the shot put F47 final event adding to the country’s medal tally. Sema bagged bronze with his personal best of 14.65 metres. The lone athlete from Nagaland representing India at the Paralympics reached the 14-metre mark on his second throw and later improved with an impressive toss of 14.40 metres.

Making his Paralympics debut, 40-year-old Sema left a lasting impression, showcasing his prowess on the global stage. Also employed with the Indian Army, Dimapur-born Sema started with a throw of 13.88m before reaching 14.00m. He then followed up with throws of 14.40m, 14.65m, 14.15m and 13.80m. His 14.65m throw also marked a personal best.

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From Landmine Survivor To Paralympic Bronze Medallist

Sema's story is truly inspiring; he lost his left leg in a landmine blast during an anti-terrorist operation in Chowkibal, Jammu & Kashmir, in 2002. At the age of 32, he took up shot put. Sema previously won bronze at the 2023 Asian Para Games with a throw of 13.94m. He made his World Championships debut in 2023, finishing seventh and improved his performance to claim fourth place in the event this year. Notably, Sema is currently serving as a Havildar in the Assam Regiment of the Indian Army.

Coming to the short put final, Yasin Khosravi of the Islamic Republic of Iran shattered the previous Paralympics record with each of his six attempts, securing the gold medal with a remarkable throw of 15.96m and setting a new all-time Paralympics record. Brazil's Thiago Paulino dos Santos claimed the silver medal with a throw of 15.06m.

Another Indian athlete who was part of the short put final, Soman Rana, delivered a commendable performance but finished in fifth place. His best throw, 14.07 metres, came in his second attempt, but despite his solid effort, he missed out on a podium finish.