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Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a Paralympics bronze medalist, has shared his inspiring journey of overcoming adversity and achieving sporting success. In 2002, a landmine explosion during an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir claimed his left leg below the knee, leaving him physically and emotionally scarred."I was mentally disturbed and in deep depression," Sema recalled. "I never thought I would be like this. I asked myself how I would walk because I don't have one leg."After his leg amputation, Sema faced immense challenges. The swelling and pain made it difficult to heal and walk properly. However, a visit to Pune's artificial limb center changed his life. The Indian Army provided him with an artificial limb, giving him hope and motivation."I have not seen an artificial leg till then in my life," Sema said. "Indian Army provided me with an artificial limb with a lot of hope. Because of that I am being able to stand in front of you."Inspired by others at the center who faced even greater physical challenges, Sema began to walk again, slowly and with determination. "It was like how a new-born child was taught how to walk by holding him," he said.In 2016, Sema was encouraged to take up shot put by a senior army official. He quickly excelled in the sport, competing in the National Para Athletics Championships the same year. His rise in para-athletics has been nothing short of inspiring.At the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Sema secured a bronze medal in the men's F57 category final with a career-best throw of 14.65 meters. He became the first Paralympics medalist from northeast India and the first Indian to win a medal in shot put at the Paralympics.Sema's journey is a testament to his resilience, determination, and the support he received from the Indian Army. He has not only overcome adversity but has also become a role model for others who face physical challenges.

Deepthi Jeevanji, a para-athlete from India, has triumphed over adversity to clinch the bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 category at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Despite falling short of her personal best, Deepthi's remarkable performance earned her a place on the podium behind Ukraine's Yuliia Shuliar and Turkey's Aysel Onder, the world record holder.Deepthi's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience and determination. Born with intellectual disability, she faced relentless mockery and discrimination from her neighbors, who labeled her a "monkey" and urged her parents to abandon her. Undeterred, Deepthi's parents stood by her, providing unwavering support that fueled her passion for sports."I was born during an eclipse, so our neighbors kept speaking against me. They called me monkey and advised my parents to abandon me or leave me at an orphanage. But I ignored all the negativity and focused on my sport," Deepthi told India Today.Financial challenges also plagued Deepthi's family. Her parents were forced to sell their land to make ends meet. However, after winning an Asian Games medal, Deepthi used her earnings to buy back the land for her family.Deepthi's mother, Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, recalled the taunts her daughter endured growing up. "Every villager who saw her and some of our relatives would call Deepthi pichi (mental) and kothi (monkey) and tell us to send her to an orphanage," she told The Indian Express.Despite the hardships, Deepthi remained focused on her athletic pursuits. She found solace in sweet rice and chicken, which her mother would prepare to comfort her after facing ridicule.Deepthi's bronze medal at the Paralympics is a testament to her indomitable spirit and the power of perseverance. It is a victory not only for her but also for all those who have faced adversity and triumphed over it.

Navdeep Singh's triumph in the men's javelin throw F41 final at the Paris Paralympic Games marked a historic moment for India, securing the nation's 29th and final medal of the campaign. The gold medal victory also marked India's seventh gold medal in the prestigious event.Navdeep's journey to the podium was not without its challenges. Initially awarded a silver medal, his status was upgraded to gold following the disqualification of Iranian athlete Mahdi Olad for displaying a flag during the competition. Despite the controversy, Navdeep's elation was evident as he celebrated his victory, putting the disappointment of the Tokyo Paralympics behind him.Comparisons were drawn between Navdeep and India's Olympic star Neeraj Chopra, who had previously won a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal in the Paris Olympics. Navdeep's coach, Naval Singh, went so far as to claim that his ward's technique surpassed that of Chopra."Navdeep's technique is even better than Neeraj Chopra's," Singh told Times of India. "If he were in able-bodied athletics, he would have done wonders. But we are all proud of Navdeep. This is just the start for him—he is going to break several records."Navdeep himself acknowledged the role of his coach in his success, crediting Singh for his unwavering support and guidance over the years. "My coach, Naval Singh, has worked a lot with me," Navdeep said. "He has trained me for almost seven years. He has played a big role in my career. Whatever I am today, it's because of him."Reflecting on his winning throw of 47.32 meters in the final, Navdeep revealed a unique strategy: "Falling is my last resort. When I fall, that throw goes well."Navdeep's victory serves as an inspiration to athletes with disabilities, demonstrating that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. His achievement is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human body and the power of sports to transcend boundaries.

India's para-athletes have etched their names in history with a record-breaking medal haul of 29 at the Paralympics. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in the country's Paralympic journey, surpassing the previous record of 19 medals in Tokyo.The contingent of 84 athletes showcased exceptional determination and talent, with established stars delivering on expectations and new faces making their mark. Seven of the 29 medals were gold, a first for India, which has only recently emerged as a force in Paralympic sports.Track and field events proved to be a major source of success, with 17 medals, including a bronze for sprinter Preethi Pal in the women's 100m T35 class. Pal's achievement is particularly inspiring, as she was born with weak legs that have progressively worsened.Another first-ever medal came in judo, with Kapil Parmar securing a bronze in the men's 60kg J1 class. Parmar's story is one of resilience, having overcome a life-altering accident in his childhood.Archery and club throw also contributed significantly to India's medal tally. Harvinder Singh won gold in archery, while Dharambir and Pranav Soorma finished first and second in the club throw event.Armless archer Sheetal Devi, who uses her legs to shoot, became a crowd favorite with her mixed team bronze. Her determination and spirit inspired millions, demonstrating that anything is possible with perseverance.Defending champions Sumit Antil and Avani Lekhara lived up to expectations, winning gold in javelin throw and air rifle shooting, respectively. Badminton player Kumar Nitesh also claimed gold, overcoming a train accident that resulted in the loss of his leg.India's success at the Paralympics is a testament to the government's increased investment in training, recovery, and support staff. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme has played a crucial role in providing resources to para-athletes.While India has made significant progress, there is still room for improvement. Creating a pool of para swimmers would enhance the country's chances of finishing in the top 10 at future Paralympics.

The men's javelin F41 final at the Paris Paralympics witnessed a dramatic turn of events, with initial gold medal winner Sadegh Beit Sayah of Iran being disqualified for displaying a controversial flag. This resulted in India's Navdeep Singh's silver medal being upgraded to gold, marking India's seventh gold medal at the Games.Navdeep's initial reaction was one of surprise and confusion, as he was unaware of the reason for Sayah's disqualification. However, upon seeing his opponent's emotional breakdown, Navdeep was overcome with empathy and embraced Sayah in a gesture of consolation."I was so surprised when the red card was shown to the Iranian javelin thrower. He started crying. He was in tears and weeping. I also became so emotional that I went to him and hugged him. I consoled him. Until then, I didn't know what exactly had happened and the reason behind this big decision," Navdeep recounted.The disqualification stemmed from Sayah's display of the Hamas flag, which is associated with a terrorist organization. This act was deemed inappropriate conduct by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).Navdeep's subsequent joy at winning the gold medal was tempered by the realization that it came at the expense of Sayah's disqualification. "When I was given the gold medal, I was so happy. Tokyo is in the past now, Paris is the present. I am really delighted that I could make my country proud. I'm really happy I could add one more gold medal to India's tally. People always remember gold," Navdeep said.Reflecting on his performance, Navdeep expressed surprise at his distance of 47.32 meters, which exceeded his expectations. "I never imagined I would throw 47-plus, honestly. I don't have any idea how I did this. Because during my training just before departing for Paris, I was throwing 41 or 42. But I don't know how I managed to throw 47-plus," he remarked.Navdeep's victory is a testament to his determination and resilience, and it adds to India's impressive medal tally at the Paris Paralympics.

The Paris Paralympic Games 2024 concluded with India achieving its most successful campaign ever, securing 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. This remarkable performance placed India at the 18th position in the points table, surpassing several top nations.India's medal haul was led by track-and-field, which contributed 17 medals, including four golds. Navdeep Singh's gold medal in the men's javelin throw F41 classification was particularly noteworthy, as he originally finished with a silver but was upgraded to gold after the disqualification of Iran's Sadegh Beit Sayah for displaying an objectionable flag. Simran also added a bronze in the women's 200m (T12) event, setting a personal best time.India's success in Paris was a testament to the significant progress made in para-sports in the country. The team outperformed traditional Paralympic powerhouses such as Switzerland, Belgium, South Korea, Turkey, and Argentina, finishing among the top 20 nations in the world.In comparison, Paralympic heavyweights China, Great Britain, USA, and Italy continued to dominate, finishing among the top 10 nations. India's performance in Paris sets the stage for an even stronger showing at the 2028 LA Para Games.

Indian shot-putter Hokato Sema, a landmine blast survivor, has etched his name in history by securing a bronze medal for India at the Paralympic Games in Paris. The 40-year-old Army man from Dimapur, Nagaland, achieved his career-best throw of 14.65 meters in the men's F57 category final on Friday.Sema's journey to the podium has been marked by resilience and determination. In 2002, while participating in an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir's Chowkibal, he lost his left leg in a landmine blast. However, this setback did not deter him from pursuing his passion for sports.In 2016, at the age of 32, Sema was encouraged by a senior army official at the Pune-based Artificial Limb Centre to take up shot put. He quickly showed promise and soon began competing in national para athletics championships.At the Paralympics, Sema started with a mediocre throw of 13.88 meters. But he quickly found his rhythm, touching the 14-meter mark on his second throw and improving further with a heave of 14.40 meters. His best throw came in his fourth attempt, surpassing his personal best of 14.49 meters and securing him the bronze medal.Iran's Yasin Khosravi, the two-time para world champion and Hangzhou Para Games gold medalist, clinched the top spot with a Paralympic record of 15.96 meters. Brazil's Thiago Dos Santos took the silver with his best throw of 15.06 meters.Sema's success is a testament to his indomitable spirit and the power of sports to transform lives. He has become an inspiration for countless others who have faced adversity and overcome challenges.

Simran Sharma, India's reigning world champion in the women's 200m T12 race, has effortlessly secured her place in the final at the Paralympic Games in Paris. On Friday, she clocked an impressive time of 25.03 seconds, showcasing her exceptional speed and determination.Simran's journey to the final began with a dominant performance in her heat, where she emerged victorious with a time of 25.41 seconds. This remarkable achievement propelled her into the semifinals, where she faced off against Germany's Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who had narrowly defeated her in the 100m final the previous night.Undeterred by her previous encounter with Mueller-Rottgardt, Simran displayed unwavering focus and determination. She surged ahead from the starting line, maintaining a steady pace throughout the race. Her unwavering spirit and relentless drive carried her across the finish line in a time that secured her a spot in the final.Simran's triumph is a testament to her unwavering resilience and the challenges she has overcome throughout her life. Born prematurely with visual impairment, she faced numerous obstacles, including her father's chronic illness and eventual passing. These difficult experiences instilled in her an indomitable fighting spirit and a deep desire to triumph over adversity.The T12 classification in the Paralympics is reserved for athletes with visual impairments. Simran's journey began prematurely, spending the first 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where her visual impairment was discovered. Despite the challenges she faced, Simran's determination remained unwavering.Her breakthrough moment came at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship, where she competed despite the fear of losing her father. Although she suffered the loss of her father shortly after returning from the event, she channeled her grief into motivation, determined to honor his memory through her achievements.Simran's story is an inspiration to all who face adversity. Her unwavering spirit, resilience, and determination serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and a belief in oneself. As she prepares for the final, Simran carries the hopes and dreams of her nation, ready to showcase her exceptional talent and inspire countless others.

India's Kasthuri Rajamani, a 40-year-old powerlifter from Tamil Nadu, participated in the women's 67kg event at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Friday. Despite equaling her personal best lift of 106kg in her second attempt, Rajamani finished eighth among nine competitors.Rajamani's journey to powerlifting began when a para shooter friend encouraged her to take up the sport. She subsequently won gold in the 67kg category at the Khelo India Para Games last year. However, at the Hangzhou Para Games in 2023, she placed fifth.In the Paris Paralympics, China's Yujiao Tan, a two-time Paralympic champion and four-time world championship gold medalist, dominated the event. Tan set a new world and Paralympic record with a lift of 142kg, securing her third consecutive title at the global showpiece.Egypt's Fatma Elyan claimed the silver medal with a best lift of 139kg, while Brazil's Fatima de Maria earned the bronze with a lift of 133kg.Rajamani's performance, while not resulting in a medal, showcased her determination and resilience. She has demonstrated the potential for Indian athletes to excel in powerlifting at the international level.