Landmine Survivor Hokato Sema Secures Bronze in Paralympics Shot-Put

Indian shot-putter Hokato Sema, a landmine blast survivor, achieved his career-best throw of 14.65 metres to win a bronze medal in the men's F57 category final at the Paralympic Games on Friday. The 40-year-old Army man from Dimapur, who previously won bronze at the Hangzhou Para Games last year, began with a modest throw of 13.88m before finding his rhythm.

Sema, the only athlete from Nagaland in the Indian Paralympic contingent, improved his performance with a second throw of 14m and then a third throw of 14.40m. His best throw came on his fourth attempt, surpassing his personal record of 14.49m to secure the bronze medal.

Top Performers and Records

Iran's Yasin Khosravi, a two-time para world champion and gold medallist at the Hangzhou Para Games, clinched the gold with a Paralympic record throw of 15.96m on his fourth attempt. He narrowly missed breaking his own world record of 16.01m by just five centimetres. Brazil's Thiago Dos Santos secured the silver medal with a best throw of 15.06m.

The F57 category is for field athletes with limited movement in one leg or moderate impairment in both feet, or those missing limbs. These athletes must compensate for significant asymmetry in leg power but have full upper body strength.

Journey to Shot Put

Sema lost his left leg in a landmine blast during an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir's Chowkibal in 2002. Encouraged by a senior army official at Pune's Artificial Limb Centre, he took up shot put in 2016 at the age of 32. He soon competed in the National Para Athletics Championships in Jaipur that same year.

The other Indian competitor, Rana Soman, who won silver at the Hangzhou Para Games, finished fifth with his best throw of 14.07m.

Sema's achievement highlights his resilience and dedication to sports despite facing significant physical challenges. His journey from injury to becoming a Paralympic medallist serves as an inspiration to many.