Hokato Hotozhe Sema Tops Men’s Shot Put F57 Rankings

Hokato Hotozhe Sema is an Indian para-athlete from Nagaland and a Subedar 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 a bronze medal in the men’s Shot Put F57 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a personal best throw of 14.65 metres at the Stade de France.

Shot Put F57 Classification

F57 is a para-athletics field classification used for athletes with lower-limb impairments who compete in seated throwing events. The classification system in para-athletics groups athletes by the type and extent of impairment to ensure fair competition in events such as shot put, discus throw, and javelin throw.

Paris 2024 Paralympics Result

At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Yasin Khosravi of Iran won gold with 15.96 metres and Thiago Paulino dos Santos of Brazil won silver with 15.06 metres. Sema’s bronze medal came in the men’s Shot Put F57 final held on 6 September 2024.

Career and Awards

Sema is the first Paralympian to receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award, which is one of India’s national sports awards. He won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and a silver medal at the Morocco Grand Prix in 2022. He began shot put at the age of 32 after losing his left leg in a landmine blast during a military operation in 2002.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Paris 2024 Paralympics were held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris.
• Shot put is a track and field throwing event included in both Olympic and Paralympic athletics.
• The Arjuna Award is given by the Government of India for outstanding performance in sports.
• The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal is a peacetime distinguished service decoration of the Indian Armed Forces.