Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a 40-year-old Army Havildar from Nagaland, made his Paralympics debut remarkable by winning the country's 27th medal, a bronze in the shot put event with a personal best of 14.65 metres in his third attempt. Sema's inspiring journey includes losing his left leg in a landmine blast and taking up shot put at the age of 32. Yasin Khosravi from Iran set an all-time Paralympics record to claim the gold medal, while Sema's compatriot Soman Rana put up a solid performance but finished fifth.
Hokato Hotozhe Sema: A Soldier's Triumph from Adversity
Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a 40-year-old Army Havildar from Nagaland, has made history by winning India's 27th medal at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Sema's remarkable achievement is a testament to his resilience and determination in overcoming life's challenges.
Early Life and Military Service
Sema joined the Indian Army in 2003. During a counter-insurgency operation in April 2016, he stepped on a landmine that resulted in the loss of his left leg. Despite the devastating injury, Sema remained committed to serving his country. With the support of his family and the Army, he underwent rehabilitation and resumed his duties.
Journey to Shot Put
At the age of 32, Sema discovered his passion for shot put while participating in sports competitions organized for injured veterans. With little prior experience, he began training with the guidance of his coach at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.
Paralympics Debut
Sema made his Paralympics debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Competing in the F46 category, he faced off against some of the world's best athletes. In his third attempt, Sema achieved a personal best of 14.65 meters, securing a bronze medal.
India's Paralympic Success
Sema's triumph is a continuation of India's success at the Paralympics. With a total of 27 medals at the Tokyo Games, India recorded its highest-ever medal tally. The country has now won a total of 128 medals at the Paralympics, including 49 golds.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Hokato Hotozhe Sema and the Paralympics
1. How did Hokato Hotozhe Sema lose his leg?
2. How old was Sema when he started competing in shot put?
3. What is the F46 category in the Paralympics?
4. Who won the gold medal in the shot put event at the Tokyo Paralympics?
5. How many medals has India won at the Paralympics?
Catch the exciting match between Haryana Steelers and Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League at the Noida Indoor Stadium. In their previous 11 meetings, the Steelers have emerged victorious 6 times, while the Thalaivas have won 2 matches. Don't miss the action as both teams battle it out for another win in the league.
At the age of 41, Jim Miller submits Damon Jackson in the first round at UFC 309, securing his 27th win with the promotion and extending his record for most wins. Jackson retires after the fight, leaving his gloves in the cage, while Miller proves that age is just a number in the world of UFC. Despite his long tenure with the promotion, Miller shows no signs of slowing down with three wins in his last four fights.
After the ODI series loss, Australia showed its dominance in the shortest format with a victory in the first T20I against Pakistan. Pakistan, high on confidence after the ODI series win, gave a tough fight but fell short in the seven-over shootout. Maxwell's brilliance with both bat and ball was the main highlight of the match. Australia will now look to continue their winning streak in the second T20I, while Pakistan will try to bounce back at the SCG.
At UFC 309, President-Elect Donald Trump was seen in attendance alongside other high-profile celebrities such as Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr., and more. Along the way to his seat, Trump even shared a handshake with WWE's Triple H, cementing his longstanding connection with the wrestling organization. Trump's continued support for UFC and his focus on promoting hypermasculine tones align with his political strategies and appeal to male voters. This was not the first time Trump has been involved with UFC and it seems that his ties to the sport will continue even during his presidency.
Despite his victory at UFC 309, Bo Nickal did not impress in his bout against Paul Craig, according to Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier. The former NCAA wrestling star showed caution and did not utilize his takedown skills, leading the crowd to chant "overrated." While Nickal has the potential to reach the top in MMA, he needs more time to develop before facing a fighter like Khamzat Chimaev.
Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat earned a spot in the World Boxing Council (WBC) world rankings after a convincing victory over Brazilian fighter Whindersson Nunes. Goyat, who was born on November 11, 1991, has been dominating the sport with his explosive and tactical fighting style. He previously won the prestigious WBC Asia "Honorary Boxer of the Year" award in 2017 and defeated Chinese boxer Xu Can, who went on to become a World Boxing Association world champion. Goyat's latest victory solidifies his place as one of India's top professional boxers and the first Indian to be ranked by the WBC.
In an exhilarating showdown, West Indies claimed a nail-biting victory over England in the fourth T20 international, winning by five wickets in a successful chase of 219. The thrilling match had fans on the edge of their seats as the West Indies team staged an impressive comeback to seal the victory. This win marks a major upset in the series, as England had previously dominated with three consecutive wins.
Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Poland 5-1 in a Nations League match, securing their place in the quarter-finals. With this result, Portugal have wrapped up the top spot in Group A1 with a game to spare. Despite Poland starting strongly, it was Portugal who dominated in the second half, scoring four goals in the last 20 minutes. Ronaldo, who had a quiet first half, came alive after the break and played a crucial role in his team's victory.
The West Indies and England are set to clash in the 4th T20 of their closely contested five-game series in St. Lucia. The visitors currently hold a 3-0 lead and will be looking to continue their dominance, while the West Indies will be hoping to bounce back and narrow the gap. Stay tuned for score updates and insightful analysis on this exciting match.
In a tightly contested T20I match between Pakistan and Australia, Pakistan's newly appointed captain Mohammed Rizwan made a crucial mistake by allowing three bowlers to bowl two overs each instead of one or two, as per the revised regulations. This went unnoticed by the umpires and match referee, as Australia posted a strong total of 93/4. Despite some late resistance, Pakistan's batting collapsed, giving Australia a 29-run victory. Glenn Maxwell played a key role for Australia, surpassing 10,000 T20I runs and leading the team to victory.