DIMAPUR, JUN 30 (NPN): President Droupadi Murmu 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 honour was conferred in recognition of his exceptionally distinguished service in the Indian Army and his achievements as one of India’s leading para-athletes.
The Indian Army also recognised Subedar Sema’s contribution to para sports through its Paralympic Node under the Mission Olympics Wing, describing his journey as an inspiration of resilience, perseverance and national pride.
Subedar Sema began his para-athletics career at the 2016 National Para Athletics Championships in Jaipur. He later won 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. He has also represented India at the World Para Athletics Championships and is the national record holder in the F57 sitting shot put event.
His 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. The feat made him Nagaland’s first-ever Paralympic medallist. He has also qualified for the 2026 Asian Games.
