Subedar Hokato Sema Wins Bronze in Shot Put at Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan

Indian Army para-athlete Subedar Hokato Sema (full name Hokato Hotozhe Sema) has won a bronze medal in men’s seated shot put at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He threw 14.65 m on 20 October 2026 to finish third in the combined F56/F57 event. The Asian Para Games are held every four years for athletes with disabilities from across Asia, usually soon after the Asian Games.

The result

The podium in the men’s seated shot put was:

• Gold: Yasin Khosravi of Iran, with a Games record throw of 15.25 m.

• Silver: Haidr Salamh of Saudi Arabia, with 14.97 m.

• Bronze: Subedar Sema of India, with 14.65 m.

Sema, who is currently ranked world number one in the F57 category, matched his personal best of 14.65 m to secure a place on the podium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on the achievement.

From a landmine blast to the podium

Sema was born on 24 December 1983 in P. Vihoto village in Niuland district, Nagaland. He joined the Indian Army and served with the Assam Regiment.

In 2002, while on operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he was caught in a landmine blast and lost his left leg below the knee. Instead of letting the injury end his journey, he turned to sport. He took up para-athletics in his early thirties and trained at the Army Paralympic Node in Pune under coach Rakesh Rawat.

A record of big-stage medals

The bronze in Japan adds to an impressive list of international results:

• Asian Para Games 2022, Hangzhou: Bronze in men’s shot put F56/57.

• Paris 2024 Paralympics: Bronze in men’s shot put F57 with a personal best of 14.65 m. It was Nagaland’s first Paralympic medal.

• World ranking: Rose to world number one in the F57 category in 2026.

• Service honours: Awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal.

He now holds the rank of Subedar, a Junior Commissioned Officer rank in the Army.

What F57 means

In para-athletics, athletes are grouped into classes based on their type and level of impairment, so that they compete against others with similar abilities. The “F” stands for field events. The F57 class is for athletes with leg impairments who compete from a seated position, using a throwing frame.

More medals for the Army on the same day

Sema was not the only Army athlete to win on Day 2 of the athletics events. Two of his teammates from the same Army sports centre also reached the podium:

• Havildar Rakesh: Silver in discus throw (F44).

• Havildar Pardeep Kumar: Bronze in discus throw (F64).

About the Army’s para-sports centre

The centre was set up to help soldiers who have suffered serious injuries in service return to competitive sport. It provides coaching, equipment and support to train them for national and international events. Athletes from the centre have gone on to win medals at the Paralympics, the Asian Para Games and world championships.

Why it matters

Sema’s story is one of courage and determination. A soldier who lost a leg while serving the country has gone on to become one of the best para-athletes in the world in his event. His success also shows how the Army continues to support its personnel long after they are injured in the line of duty.

For aspirants

For young people preparing to join the armed forces, Subedar Sema’s journey is a reminder of the values the Army stands for: resilience, discipline and never giving up. These are the same qualities assessed at selection boards and built during training. Stories like his are also useful for SSB interviews and group discussions on current affairs and sports.