Kohima, July 3: Nagaland's Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema, an accomplished para-athlete and serving Junior Commissioned Officer of the 9 Assam Regiment, has achieved the World No. 1 ranking in the Men's Shot Put F57 category, according to the latest World Para Athletics Rankings.
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| Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema of the 9 Assam Regiment receives the prestigious Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) from President Droupadi Murmu at the Defence Investiture Ceremony. |
The achievement marks another historic milestone in the remarkable journey of the 42-year-old para-athlete, who has overcome life-changing adversity to become one of India's most decorated para sportspersons.
Congratulating him on the achievement, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio described the accomplishment as a matter of immense pride for both the state and the nation.
"Heartiest congratulations to Subedar H. Hokato Sema, AVSM, on becoming World No. 1 in Men's Shot Put F57 in the latest World Para Athletics Rankings. This outstanding achievement makes Nagaland and the nation proud. I wish him continued success in the years ahead," Rio said in a post on X.
The latest rankings also reflect India's growing strength in para athletics, with Rana Soman and Juyal Shubham occupying the second and third positions respectively in the Men's Shot Put F57 category.
A native of P. Vihoto village in Niuland district, Nagaland, Hokato Sema was born on December 24, 1983, and joined the Indian Army in 2000 as a soldier of the 9 Assam Regiment.
His life took a dramatic turn in October 2002 when, during a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, he stepped on a landmine. The blast resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee, ending his dream of serving in the Special Forces.
Undeterred by the setback, Sema underwent rehabilitation at the Army Paralympic Node in Pune, where he discovered para athletics as part of his recovery. Competing in the F57 category for seated athletes with lower limb impairments, he steadily rose through the ranks with the support of the Indian Army.
His sporting breakthrough came at the 2016 National Para Athletics Championships, followed by a silver medal at the 2022 Morocco Grand Prix and a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
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Sema reached the pinnacle of his sporting career at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, where he produced a personal-best throw of 14.65 metres to win the bronze medal in the Men's Shot Put F57 event. The achievement made him Nagaland's first-ever Paralympic medallist, bringing unprecedented glory to the state.
His outstanding achievements have earned him several prestigious honours. He is an Arjuna Award recipient and recently became the first Paralympian in India's history to receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for distinguished service. He is also the first Indian Army para-athlete to be conferred both the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
Sema's inspiring journey—from a young soldier who lost his leg in the line of duty to becoming the world's top-ranked para shot put athlete—stands as a testament to resilience, determination and unwavering dedication. His latest achievement further strengthens India's growing presence in international para athletics while inspiring countless young athletes across the country.
