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DIMAPUR — Hokato Hotozhe Sema, the first Naga athlete to win a Paralympic medal, returned home to a hero’s welcome on Thursday.
Hokato, who secured a Bronze medal in the men’s shot put F57 category at the Paris Paralympics, was greeted at Dimapur Airport by cheering crowds, village council members, the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho, and various other organisations.
“My dream was to win a medal for Nagaland,” Hokato told the gathered well-wishers. He shared that his focus was solely on securing a medal for his home state, inspired by the absence of Paralympic medallists from Nagaland despite its athletic talent.
His journey to the podium was not without its challenges. He recounted enduring intense training, battling injuries, including a fall just a week before the Games, and even facing a fever upon arriving in Paris. However, a call to his mental coach, who reminded him to focus on Nagaland and believe in his abilities, helped him persevere, he said.
Recalling the moment he stepped onto the podium, Hokato admitted that he was nervous: “But once I was in position to throw, I told myself, ‘No matter what, I will win a medal for Nagaland.’”
Interacting with journalists after the welcome programme, he reiterated that his mind was focused on making a name for the state and on showing people that someone from the Northeast, from Nagaland had won a medal.
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He shared that his first international experience at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, where he had also secured a Bronze, proved to be great learning opportunity.
The incredible experience of winning a medal at the Paris Paralympics not just for himself, but also for the state, has made him “truly happy”, he added.
The Paralympian went on to say that his toughest competition came from the Iranian athletes, whose techniques were similar to his own. Iran's Yasin Koshravi won gold with a throw of 15.96 metres, while Brazil's Thiago Paulino Dos Santos took silver with a 15.6-metre throw.
While he secured the Bronze with a personal best throw of 14.65 metres, and is thrilled with the achievement, Hokato has his sights set on the next Paralympics.
“Next time, I will change the colour of the medal for the Naga people”, he said.
Hokato, who hails from P Vihoto Village in Niuland district, lost his leg to a landmine blast in 2002 while serving as a Havildar in the 9th Assam Regiment during a counter-terrorism mission.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and its affiliated units commended Hokato’s resilience and dedication, highlighting his achievement as an inspiration for aspiring athletes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the association also expressed gratitude for the state government's support, including a recently announced cash award of INR 1.5 crore in recognition of his Paralympic medal.
The NOA is currently collaborating with Hokato and the state government to organise a formal felicitation programme to celebrate his accomplishment and contribution to Nagaland’s sporting legacy, it said.