Nagaland’s first Paralympic bronze medallist, Hokato Hotozhe Sema, received a grand and heartwarming reception at Dimapur airport on Thursday. People from all walks of life gathered in significant numbers to recognize his incredible success at the reception event hosted by the Western Sumi Hoho and other notable civil society groups, NGOs, tribal organizations, and student bodies. Sema, who is from P. Vihoto Village in the Aghunaqa neighborhood of Niuland, created history in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games by taking home the bronze in the men’s F57 shot put competition. His triumph has not only made Nagaland proud, but it has also made the state famous in the world of sports.
Speaking to the media community, Sema thanked everyone for their warm reception and the love and support of the Nagaland people. He described how he got to the Paralympics and how, even though he got sick and injured just a week before the Games, he never gave up on his goal to bring home a medal for Nagaland. “Like other northeastern states that have won medals in sports, my goal has always been to win a medal for Nagaland. Next time, I will bring home a medal with a different color,” Sema declared.
He said that the people of Nagaland’s prayers kept him strong during his journey and that God and their support were the reasons behind his accomplishment. Sema thanked everyone for their prayers and steadfast support and continued to convey his pride in representing Nagaland internationally. Hokato received congratulations from the Nagaland Olympic Association and the Nagaland Parasports Committee for his outstanding accomplishment.