Hokato Hotozhe Sema Becomes World No. 1 and Wins Bronze in Men's Shot Put F57 at Paris 2024 Paralympics

Key Facts

• Hokato Hotozhe Sema is an Indian para-athlete from Nagaland and serves as a Naib Subedar (Junior Commissioned Officer) in the 9 Assam Regiment of the Indian Army.
• He became World No. 1 in the men’s Shot Put F57 category on 2 July 2026.
• He won the bronze medal in men’s Shot Put F57 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on 6 September 2024 with a personal best throw of 14.65 metres at Stade de France.
• The gold medalist was Yasin Khosravi from Iran with 15.96 metres, and silver was won by Thiago Paulino dos Santos of Brazil with 15.06 metres.
• F57 is a para-athletics classification for athletes with lower-limb impairments competing from a seated position in throwing events like shot put, discus, and javelin.
• Sema is the first Paralympian to receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), a prestigious peacetime distinguished service decoration awarded by the Indian Armed Forces.
• He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award, one of India’s national sports honors.
• Sema started shot put at age 32 following the loss of his left leg in a 2002 landmine blast during a military operation at the Line of Control.
• He also won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and a silver medal at the Morocco Grand Prix in 2022.

Background & Context

Born on 24 December 1983 in Niuland district, Nagaland, Hokato Hotozhe Sema joined the Indian Army in 2000 and serves with the 9 Assam Regiment. In 2002, he lost his left leg due to a landmine blast during a military operation along the Line of Control. At 32 years old, he began training in Para Athletics, specializing in the shot put event under coach Rakesh Rawat. He gradually rose through the ranks in para-athletics, representing India internationally with notable successes including bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2022 Morocco Grand Prix. His bronze medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics marked a historic achievement, making him the first athlete from Nagaland to win a Paralympic medal for India. His military and sporting achievements have been recognized by top national honors including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Arjuna Award.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

Hokato Hotozhe Sema's accomplishments are significant for current affairs and general knowledge relevant to competitive exams in India. Questions may cover:

• India's medal winners at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and their achievements.
• The classification system in para-athletics, specifically F57 category.
• Notable military personnel excelling in sports and their awards.
• Recipients of prestigious national awards like the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Arjuna Award.
• Representation and achievements of athletes from Northeastern India and the Indian Army in para-sports.

Points to Remember

• Hokato Hotozhe Sema won bronze in men's Shot Put F57 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a 14.65 metres throw, setting a personal best.
• He became World No. 1 in F57 shot put on 2 July 2026.
• F57 classification includes athletes with lower-limb impairments who compete seated in throwing events.
• He is the first Paralympian awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished services in Indian Armed Forces.
• Started para-athletics post-2002 injury, showing remarkable resilience and dedication starting the sport at age 32.