Paralympic athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema secured a bronze medal in the Men’s F57 Shot Put event at the Paris Paralympics on Friday, with a career-best throw of 14.65 meters.
The 40-year-old from Dimapur made history as the first-ever Naga athlete to win a medal in the Paralympic Games for shot put. With this achievement, India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has reached 27. Hokato, who previously won a bronze medal at the Asian Games with a throw of 13.94 meters, serves as a Havildar in the 9 Assam Regiment. He reportedly lost his leg to a landmine in 2002 during an operation at the Line of Control (LOC). Undeterred, he took up shot put at the age of 32 while still serving in the army.Currently, he is ranked seventh in the world.
Hokato also won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2022 and a silver medal at the Morocco Grand Prix the same year.
Hokato is the second of four children in a farmer’s family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Hokato on his achievement, saying, “A proud moment for our nation as Hokato Hotozhe Sema brings home the Bronze medal in Men’s Shotput F57! His incredible strength and determination are exceptional. Congratulations to him. Best wishes for the endeavours ahead.”