Who is Nagaland’s Hokato Sema, world no 1 in men’s shot put Para athletics rankings?

Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema of the Assam Rifles recently became the first Paralympian to be conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |

New Delhi: Nagaland’s Paralympian Hokato Hotozhe Sema is now World No 1 in the men’s Shot Put F57 category. Sema has secured the top position in the latest World Para Athletics Rankings.

The achievement is the latest feather in the athlete’s cap. He represented India at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, where he won a bronze medal and became the first athlete from Nagaland to win a Paralympic medal for India. Sema also won a bronze medal in the Shotput F-56/57 category event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has congratulated the athlete on his recent achievement.

“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 wrote.

In the latest rankings, Indian athletes Rana Soman and Juyal Shubham were ranked second and third respectively, underscoring India’s strong presence in the event, Akashvani News reported.

Injured in a landmine explosion

Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema, AVSM, VSM of the Assam Rifles is a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. He became the first Paralympian to be conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 30 June. He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award.

Sema joined as a havildar in the Indian Army and was promoted to the post of Naib Subedar with 9 Assam Regiment. He dreamed of joining the Special Forces, but an injury brought it to an abrupt end.

In October 2002, while participating in a counter-infiltration operation at Chowkibal along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Sema stepped on a landmine. The explosion resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. He was 19 years old at the time.

The Paralympian started shot put at the age of 32 and trained under coach Rakesh Rawat. He is currently supported by the sports non-profit Olympic Gold Quest.