Hokato Sema, a former havildar in the Indian Army, lost his leg in a landmine blast during a 2002 operation at the Line of Control.
Hokato Sema, a survivor of a landmine explosion, made history at the Paralympics 2024 by securing a bronze medal for India in the men’s F57 shot put final on Friday. Hailing from Dimapur, Nagaland, Sema, who served in the Indian Army, had previously earned a bronze at the Hangzhou Paralympics.
During Friday’s event, Sema first achieved a throw of 14 meters on his second attempt and later improved it with a remarkable 14.40-meter throw.
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About Hokato Sema
A former havildar in the Indian Army, Sema lost his leg in a landmine blast during a 2002 operation at the Line of Control. After the accident, he turned to shot put as part of his recovery.
Encouraged by a senior army officer at the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune, Hokato Sema began his shot put journey in 2016 at the age of 32. That same year, he competed in the National Para Championships in Jaipur.
At the current Paralympics, India has so far won 27 medals, comprising six gold, nine silver, and 12 bronze. Sema’s outstanding throw also broke the previous Paralympic record of 13.49 meters, set by Azerbaijan’s Olokhan Musayev. Iran’s Yasin Khosravi claimed the gold with a 15.96-meter throw, while Brazil’s Thiago dos Santos secured silver with a 15.06-meter throw.
Hokato Sema has also seen success on the international stage, having won a silver medal at the Morocco Grand Prix in 2022 and finishing fourth in this year’s World Championships. Competing in the F57 category, athletes participate in a seated position, which makes shot put particularly challenging as it relies heavily on upper body strength.
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Sema’s bronze medal adds to his growing list of achievements, marking a significant milestone in his career and further fueling his motivation for the future.