Paralympian Hokato Sema receives Arjuna Award

Hokato Hotozhe Sema with the Arjuna Award on Friday in New Delhi. (Proto credit: Hokato Sema)

• KOHIMA — Paralympics bronze medallist from Nagaland, Hokato Hotozhe Sema, was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.
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• Hokato, who won a bronze medal in the men’s shot put F57 category at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, received the Arjuna Award for his outstanding performance in the para-athletics discipline.
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• In a conversation with Eastern Mirror, Hokato shared that ever since he started playing games in 2016, his ultimate aim was to be conferred the Arjuna Award.
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• He confided that he would tell his seniors, “I want nothing but only the Arjuna Award.” To realise this dream, he had been working hard all along.
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• “It has been about eight years since I have been playing, and today I got the opportunity to receive the Arjuna Award....I feel complete,” he said.
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• Sharing his future plans, Hokato said that he has already started training for a major world championship to be hosted by India in September this year.
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• He also disclosed that his main target is to perform his best at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.
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• In a message, the paralympian extended gratitude to everyone for supporting him. Hokato also urged everyone to support aspiring sportspersons so that they can also achieve success and bring laurels to the state.
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The Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in sports and games is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline.

President Droupadi Murmu confers Arjuna Award, 2024 on H Hokato Sema in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Para-Athletics during the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2024 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

• CM Rio congratulates Hokato
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• Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, on Friday took to X to congratulate Hokato.
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• “Heartiest congratulations to Mr. H. Hokato Sema on receiving the prestigious Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2024 in Para-Athletics discipline. His dedication and achievements have inspired countless aspiring athletes,” Rio said.