Subedar Hokato Sema lost his leg in a mine blast on the Line of Control. Today he is a champion para shot-putter and among the most decorated para soldier-athletes.
Naib Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a bronze medalist at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in the Men's Shotput F57 final, expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army for their unwavering support and motivation throughout his journey.
Sema's rise in para-athletics has been nothing short of inspiring.
Ramudri Someshwara Rao won a gold medal in the 200m race and Hokato Sema bagged a bronze in shot put.
Landmine blast survivor Hokato Sema came up with a career-best throw of 14.65 metres to win the bronze medal in the men's Shot Put F57 category at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Friday.
The athlete from Nagaland became the first Paralympics medallist from northeast India. He had also won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games last year.
This edition of the championship holds critical importance as it serves as the final selection trial for the Indian contingent heading to the prestigious New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships later this year.
Indian contingent led out by Sumit, Bhagyashri at Paralympic opening ceremony
A summary of Indian athletes' showing at the Paris Paralympics on Friday, September 6.
India have sent an 84-strong contingent of para-athletes, the largest ever in the country's history -- a heady mix of youth and experience, for the Paralympic Games, starting in Paris on Wednesday.
The para-athletes outnumbered the able-bodied ones in the list this time due to the magnificent Paris Paralympics performance in which they returned with 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver.
Shooter Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics while Gukesh was crowned the World Chess Champion in Singapore, last month.
Paris Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar had to settle for bronze in the men's T64 high jump at the Asian Para Games after clearing a season's best 2.00 metres.
Paris Paralympics club throw gold medallist Dharambir Nain and double bronze winner sprinter Preethi Pal have been named as India's flag bearers for the opening ceremony on September 27.
All Indian athletes who've qualified for the paralympic games
Sumit Antil clinched a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games javelin throw F64 event with a world record effort of 73.29m.
