President Droupadi Murmu has conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) on Subedar Hokato Hotozhe Sema of the 9 Assam Regiment at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The prestigious award was given in recognition of his exceptionally distinguished service in the Indian Army and his achievements as one of India’s leading para-athletes. Subedar Sema’s remarkable journey has been an inspiration of resilience, perseverance, and national pride, as recognised by the Indian Army through its Paralympic Node under the Mission Olympics Wing.
Subedar Sema began his para-athletics career at the 2016 National Para Athletics Championships in Jaipur. He went on to win silver at the 2022 Morocco Grand Prix and a bronze medal in the F56/F57 shot put event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. The athlete has also represented India at the World Para Athletics Championships and holds the national record in the F57 sitting shot put event.
Subedar Sema’s biggest achievement came at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, where he secured the bronze medal in the men’s F57 shot put with a personal-best throw of 14.65 metres on September 6, 2024. This feat made him Nagaland’s first-ever Paralympic medallist. Furthermore, he has qualified for the 2026 Asian Games, marking another milestone in his illustrious career.
