Nagaland Government has announced a cash reward of 1.5 crore rupees to Olympic Medalist Hokato Hotozhe Sema for winning Bronze in the Men’s F57 Shot put event at the Paris Paralympics Games 2024. In a social media post X today, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state is proud for Hokato Hotozhe Sema on winning Bronze at the Paralympics Games in Shot Put event. He said, the State Government will recommend his name to the Government of India to bestow him with Arjuna Awards.

Mr Rio said it will also take up with the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence for his promotion as an extraordinary case not only for his Olympic and Asian Games achievements but also for his gallant service to the Nation.

The 40 year old from Dimapur , Hokato Hotozhe Sema made himself the first ever medalist from Nagaland to win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games for Shotput yesterday, with a career-best throw of 14.65 meters.

Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a Havildar with 9 Assam Regiment, reportedly lost his leg due to a landmine explosion during an operation at the Line of Control in 2002. Currently, he is ranked 7th in the world.